Monthly Shrubs & Tree Care Calendar
January
- Remove and destroy spent camellia blooms, including those that fall on the ground, to reduce the danger of petal blight.
- Prune citrus and deciduous trees.
- Plant bare-root roses and fruit trees.
- Prune summer flowering shrubs; abelia, crape myrtle, oleander.
- Take hardwood cuttings of woody plants; crape myrtle, some roses, althea, wisteria, flowering quince, etc.
- If the common hydrangea (big leaf or French hydrangea) have not bloomed well, root prune them.
February
- Prune summer flowering shrubs such as oleander, abelia, and roses.
- Selectively prune crape myrtles by removing injured or crossing branches, and seed pods. Do not cut back all branches to the same length or you will encourage weak, vertical growth.
March
- Select azaleas and camellias while they are blooming to be sure of color choices.
- Feed azaleas, camellias, and other acid loving plants with azalea/camellia fertilizer.
- Fertilize palms with a specialty formulated mixture containing micronutrients. Broadcast 1/2 lb. of fertilizer per inch of trunk diameter under the canopy of the palm.
April
- Evergreens such as abelia, live oak, and Southern magnolia are shedding a few leaves. They are being replaced by new growth.
- Prune established fig trees to remove suckers, undesirable branches, and thick inward growth. Fruit size will be increased with regular pruning. Fertilize the trees and apply a layer of mulch several inches deep. Be sure not to place the mulch up against the trunk.
- If plants such as camellias or ligustrum have heavy scale infestations, when temperatures are between 45 - 75 degrees F.
May
- Prune and shape spring flowering trees and shrubs after they finish flowering. If you wait until the summer you may cut off next year's blooms.
- Take cuttings of azaleas, hollies, camellias, and other shrubs as the new growth becomes half-hardened.
June
- Trim back vigorous shoots of shrubs for more compact habit.
- Select crape myrtles with growth habits that match your landscape site. A plant should not be pruned to fit the area.
- Trim the seed pods off crape myrtles after blooms have faded to promote another bloom cycle in about six weeks. Fertilize and remove suckers from the base of the plant.
- Continue to take cuttings from woody plants.
- Monitor gardenia and crape myrtle for whiteflies, aphids, and powdery mildew. Treat with the appropriate pesticides.
July
- Azaleas and camellias are setting next season's flower buds so water during dry periods.
- Feed azaleas with an azalea fertilizer or 8-8-8 and water it into the soil.
- Cassias should not be pruned after this month if you want fall blooms.
August
- Water plants during dry periods. Established woody ornamentals plants can obtain most of their water through rainfall.
- Monitor azaleas for the azalea defoliator. The caterpillars may be removed by hand.
- Monitor crape myrtles for aphids. Look for black sooty mold on the leaves which will indicate an insect problem.
September
- Start planting container fruit trees and shrubs.
- Remove damaged branches from trees to strengthen them for next season.
- Remove excess buds on camellias to produce larger blooms.
October
- Begin selecting and planting trees and shrubs. Consider each plant's mature size before picking a spot in the landscape.
- Amending a planting hole with organic matter and fertilizer is not necessary. Fill the planting hole with the same soil you removed and wait several months to fertilize. Remember to water.
- Replenish mulch around trees and shrubs to conserve moisture and reduce weeds. Pull the mulch away from plant stems or tree trunks.
- Check evergreen plants for signs of insects such as scale. If necessary, spray with a horticultural oil early in the morning, concentrating on the undersides of the leaves.
November
- Transplant shrubs that have outgrown their location. Plan well so they do not have to be moved again.
- Continue planting trees and shrubs. Although plants will not require as much water because of cooler temperatures, new plantings still need water for roots to establish.
- If your landscape needs a tree, choose one that attracts birds. Consider a birch, Chickasaw plum, maple, or gum.
- Later this month plant camellias.
December
- Continue pruning trees and shrubs. Inspect fruit trees for diseased or damaged wood and remove branches.
- There is no need to apply a sealant or wood paint to a pruning cut. A plant will form callus tissue over a correct pruning cut.
- Check citrus, gardenia, camellias, and other plants for signs of whitefly and scale. Spray the undersides of the leaves with a horticultural oil if necessary.
- Plant or transplant deciduous trees and shrubs such as dogwood, redbud, golden-rain tree, fringe tree, and crape myrtle.
- Now is a good time to plant a nut or shade tree. Make sure your landscape has room for it's growth.
