Blooming Season and Pruning Recommendations of Some Common Shrubs For Low and Medium Elevations in Arizona
Prepared by Dr. Ursula K. Schuch, Ornamental Horticulture Specialist, Plant Sciences Department, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Blooming Season | Pruning |
| Bougainvillea sp. | Bougainvillea | Spring to fall flowering. | Prune dead wood or frost damage in early spring. Remove offshoots or too vigorous growth as needed. |
| Caesalpinia pulcherrima | Red Bird of Paradise | Flowers from late spring to fall. | Major pruning in late winter, early spring. If stems are twiggy, cut C. pulcherrima to 6-12" above ground. Light midsummer pruning to control size. |
| C. gilliesii | Desert Bird of Paradise | ||
| C. mexicana | Mexican Bird of Paradise | ||
| Calliandra californica | Baja Red Fairy Duster | Spring to fall flowering. | Light, natural pruning in later spring after first flowering. |
| C. erioplylla | Pink Fairy Duster | ||
| Carissa grandiflora | Natal Plum | Flowers on new growth in early summer. | Remove damaged wood after frost, vertical sprouts as needed. Avoid shearing. |
| Cassia artemisioides | Feathery Cassia | Flowers late winter to spring. | Don’t prune unless size needs to be controlled. If necessary, prune after flowering while temperatures are still cool. |
| C. nemophila | Green Cassia | ||
| C. phyllodenia | Silvery Cassia | ||
| Dalea bicolor | Silver dalea | Fall blooming | Prune vigorous species by one third to one half during winter dormant period. |
| D. dorycnioides | Fall to winter and spring | ||
| D. frutescens | Black Dalea | Late summer and fall | |
| D. lutea | Yellow Bush Dalea | Late fall | |
| Dodonea viscosa | Hop Bush | Flowers insignificant, decorative pink, papery winged seed in late spring, sometimes late summer. | No pruning necessary unless size control desired. Can be pruned any time. |
| Encelia farinosa | Brittle Bush | Spring flowering | From second year on, cut back to 6" after flowering. |
| Jasminum mesyni | Primrose Jasmin | Flowers on previous season’s growth in winter or early spring. | Prune lightly as needed. |
| Justicia californica | Chuparosa | Spring blooming and intermittent during summer and fall. | No or little pruning needed. Remove old woody stems to rejuvenate. Light pruning after spring if desired. |
| J. spicigera | Mexican honeysuckle | ||
| Lantana sp. | Lantana | Spring through fall flowering. | Cut to ground in March to remove frost damaged wood. Prune during growing season to control shape if necessary. |
| Blooming Season and Pruning Recommendations of Some Common Shrubs - continued | |||
| Leucophyllum candidum | ‘Silver Cloud’ and ‘Thunder Cloud’ | Summer and fall flowering | No pruning required if selected for the appropriate space. Selected pruning can be done in early spring. Don’t shear. |
| Texas Ranger | |||
| L. frutescens | Chihuahuan Sage | ||
| L. laevigatum | |||
| Nandina domestica | Heavenly Bamboo | Spring flowering. | Little pruning required. Rejuvenate older plants by selective thinning at the base. |
| Nerium oleander | Oleander | Flowers late spring to fall. | Thin in spring/early summer or after bloom, remove old wood. Don’t shear. |
| Pittosporum tobira | Pittosporum | Spring flowering. | No pruning necessary. Offshoots may be removed. |
| ‘Wheelers Dwarf’ | |||
| Pyracantha sp. | Firethorn | Spring flowering on previous season’s growth. | Prune late fall, after flowering in spring, and during the growing season. |
| Rhaphiolepis indica | Indian Hawthorn | Spring flowering. | Light pruning after flowering. |
| Rosemarinus officinalis | Creeping Rosemary | Early spring flowering. | Prune after flowering in spring to control shape or cut back to woody stems to rejuvenate. |
| ‘Prostrata’ | |||
| Salvia chamaedryoides | Blue Sage | Spring, or spring through summer. | Cut back old stems in winter or early spring. Deadhead spent flower stems. |
| S. clevelandii | Chaparral Sage | ||
| S. greggii | Autumn Sage | ||
| Tecoma stans | Yellow Trumpet Flower | Spring to fall flowering. | Prune dead wood in early spring, otherwise light pruning as needed. |
References
Duffield, M.R. and W. D. Jones. 1992. Plants for Dry Climates. HPBooks, Los Angeles, California, ISBN 1 55561 176 1
Johnson, E.A. 1997. Pruning, Planting, and Care. Ironwood Press, Tucson, Arizona, ISBN 0 9638236 5 1
Mielke, J. 1993. Native Plants for Southwestern Landscapes. University of Texas Press, Austin, Texas., ISBN 0 292 75147 8