Euonymus Regenerative Pruning - Ask Extension
We have old, well established overgrown euonymus bushes that form a hedge. They are about 5-6 feet tall and 8 feet deep. To enable us to continue to r...
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Euonymus Regenerative Pruning #874587
Asked June 25, 2024, 10:08 AM EDT
We have old, well established overgrown euonymus bushes that form a hedge. They are about 5-6 feet tall and 8 feet deep. To enable us to continue to reach when pruning them, we are planning a hard prune in late November, taking a foot off all around and cutting into woody branches as large as 2” thick. This would result in very few if any leaves remaining on the bushes. Would they survive such a prune?
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
Pruning an evergreen Euonymus should only be done in early spring before new growth begins. You are a little late for that, but you can probably prune the shrub by 1/3 now until mid-July with no ill affects. Then next spring, prune another 1/3 of the plant. So this is a 2 part project.
Again, never prune broadleaf evergreens in the fall.
Here is some general information on pruning evergreens from UME, but disregard the sections on conifers, since Euonymus is a broad leaf evergreen.
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/pruning-shrubs-and-hedges-home-garden/
Thanks for contacting Ask Extension.
Again, never prune broadleaf evergreens in the fall.
Here is some general information on pruning evergreens from UME, but disregard the sections on conifers, since Euonymus is a broad leaf evergreen.
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/pruning-shrubs-and-hedges-home-garden/
Thanks for contacting Ask Extension.
