Plant Pruning/Maintenance Most plants will respond best to pruning AFTER the flowering season and before significant new foliage growth begins

Botanical Name Common Name Pruning Season Pruning Notes CA Native (Yes/No) Plant Type Plant Size Achillea millefolium, Yarrow summer Cut spent flower stalks to the ground. Reseeding on A. millefolium can A.Millefolium: Yes, others: No P 1-4' h x 1.5-3' w, species dependent filipendulina, tomentosa fall be managed by trimming stalks before seed sets. Seeds are attractive birds. Seed can easily be collected and resown in winter. Aeonium spp. Canary Island rose any time Prune to shape or remove dead or top heavy growth. Cut stems can No Su 2-3'h x 1-2' w be re-planted and watered to propagate new plants. Agapanthus Lily of the Nile fall Trim off dried flower stalks to the base. Old plants can be cut to the No P 1.5-4'h x 1-2.5'w ground. Agave spp. Agave fall Remove spent flower stalks after bloom. Remove brown leaves. Some: Yes Su varies widely with species Aloe spp. Aloe fall Remove spent flower stalks after bloom. Remove brown leaves. No Su varies with species Alyogyne huegelii Blue Hibiscus summer/fall Can be pinch pruned/tipped back to 1/3 or 1/2 size after flowering. No S 6-10'hx 6-8'w Responds well to most pruning after roots are established. Anigozanthos flavidus Kangaroo Paw summer/fall Cut off spent flower stalks and brown foliage at the base of the plant. No P 3-6'h x 2-4'w (Do not trim any leaves or stems halfway) Water after pruning to encourage new blooms Arctostaphylos spp. Manzanita late spring or Generally don't need much pruning/no deadheading needed Yes S 2-10'h and w, varying with species summer in If trimming out lower growth, do so gradually over several years (Shrubs) Always use disinfected tools. Do not prune during cool/wet months dry weather due to dieback and fungal risks. Arctostaphylos spp. Manzanita late spring or Generally don't need much pruning/no deadheading needed Yes GC varies with species, usu. <1'h (groundcovers) summer If edging is needed, gradual annual pinching is preferred to shearing Always use disinfected tools. Do not prune during cool/wet months dry weather due to dieback and fungal risks. Artemisia californica California Sagebrush late fall Prune back by half to keep compact. Avoid cutting into old wood. Yes S 3-4'h x-3-4'w Needs good drainage or a slope. Doesn't like soggy/wet soil. Artemisia pycnocephala Sandhill Sage fall Deadhead/prune back after flowering to keep compact. Yes S 1-2'h x 2-3'w Do not prune into old wood. Short lived perennial. Asclepias sp. Milkweed late fall Native species are winter dormant. Cut dried stems to the ground. Some: Yes P 2-4'h x 2-3'w

Baccharis pilularis cvs. Coyote Bush winter No deadheading needed. Can be tip pruned or cut back hard or Yes S Varies with species and groundcovers coppiced once roots are established (3" years). Groundcovers generally need hard pruning after five or more years. Berberis spp. Barberry late spring/ On established plants, cut out old undesired woody stems down to S Varies with species summer the base after bloom. New shoots will sprout from the base. Some: Yes Buddleia alternifolia Fountain fall Cut back about 1/3 after blooming, cutting above a leaf node. No 8-15'h x 10-18' w Butterfly Bush It flowers on last season's growth so do not prune in late winter Buddleia davidii Butterfly Bush late winter and Cut back to about 12" high in late winter. It flowers on current year No S 6-12'h x 4-15' w again in fall growth. Trim off flowers in fall once flowers are finished blooming. Calamagrostis spp. feather reed late winter Trim plant down to about 6" Some: Yes G Varies with species Callistemon citrinus bottle brush fall/winter Prune out dead or undesirable branches and prune to shape. No S 3-5'h x 2-3' w Prune branch tips if a more compact shape is desired. Carex pansa Dune sedge late summer/fall Cut down with shears, stringline trimmer or mower once a year, no Yes G 16" h x spreading lower than 3". Rake regularly during growing season to remove thatch. Carex tumulicola/divulsa Foothill Sedge late summer/fall Trim down with hedging shears once per year to about 6" C.tumulicola: Yes, C.divulsa: No G 1-2'h x 2-3' w Carpenteria californica Bush Anemone summer Trim off spent flowers down to below first leaves. To improve Yes S 5-12'h x 4-5' w appearance, gently remove yellow/brown leaves. Established plants (3+ years old) may be cut back hard in winter. Ceanothus spp. California Lilac summer Prefer minimal pruning on a dry day. Remove dead wood. Yes S Varies with species (Shrubs) dry weather Can be pinch pruned at tip after flowering if desired to keep dense. Small amounts of annual pruning preferred to large pruning cuts. Ceanothus spp. California Lilac summer Can be tip pruned to control height or spread after flowering. Yes GC Varies with species (groundcovers) dry weather Trim gradually at edges of walks. For best results, do not shear. Small amounts of annual pruning preferred to large pruning cuts.

Cercis occidentalis Western Redbud summer Can be pruned for shape after flowering, but heavier pruning should Yes S 12-20'h x 10-15' w be done during winter dormancy. Summer: thin out undesired branches. Winter: Remove stubborn seed pods, crossing branches, dead wood. winter Susceptible to verticilum wilt. Cut back affected branches to the ground Chamaemelum nobile Chamomile summer/fall Deadhead flowers or trim back entire plant after flowering by 1/3 No GC 0.5'h x 0.5-1' w Cistus spp. Rockrose summer/fall Avoid heavy pruning. Trim only to correct shape. Remove older branches No S Varies with species by cutting them away from the base after flowering is finished. Convolvulus sabatius Ground Morning winter Prune back entire plant to encourage new growth and prevent the No P 1' h x 2-3' w Glory plant from becoming too woody Correa spp. Australian Fuchsia Tip prune regularly to maintain shape and improve flowering. No S varies with species No deadheading of flowers needed. Cotinus coggygria Smoke Tree late winter or Prune to remove dead wood or crossing/undesirable branches No S 4-12'h x 6-12'w depending on cultivar early spring Dietes bicolor Fortnight Lily summer/fall Dead head spent flowers by trimming them off at the base of plant No P 2-3'h x 2-4'w and iridioides Remove dead leaves at the base of the plant. This plant likes to spread so it needs pruning at soil level for spreading rhizomes. Old clumps can be divided in late fall or winter. Dymondia margaretae Dymondia warm season Generally needs no pruning other than edging. No deadheading needed No GC <1'h x spreading Echeveria spp. Hens and Chicks Old leaves can be removed as needed No Su 0.5-2'h x 0.5-2'w depending on species Epilobium spp.(Zauchneria) California Fuchsia winter Once plant is established (2-3 seasons), short varieties can be cut to Yes P Varies with species from under 1' h to 5' h the ground after flowering to rejuvenate new growth for next season. Taller varieties can be pinch pruned in spring and then again in winter to encourage compact growth. Seeds attractive to birds. Erigeron glaucus Seaside Daisy fall Dead head spent flowers for longer blooming cycle. Tall/leggy plants Yes P 1'h x 1-3'w can be trimmed back to keep compact. Frost tender species. Erigeron karvinskianus Fleabane fall/winter Flowers can be sheared back periodically to prolong bloom. Entire plant No P 1-2'h x 3-5'w can be cut back in winter. Invasive species. Eriogonum spp. Buckwheat late fall Seeds are attractive to birds. Dead head spent seeds at the end of the Most: Yes S Varies greatly with species from tiny to 8' h growing season. When pruning off flower heads, ok to prune down into lower branches above a leaf node to keep plant more compact. Erysimum 'Bowles Mauve' Wallflower late summer/fall Trim back after flowering to below the first leaf to keep compact. No P 1.5-3'h x 1.5-3'w Eschscholzia californica California poppy late spring and After bloom, cut entire plant back to 1". It will regrow and rebloom Yes P 1-1.5'h x 1-1.5' w summer with extra water. Control re-seeding by removing spent seed pods before they burst. Allow maximum reseeding by letting pods burst. Euonymus japonicus Evergreen Euonymus spring or summer Use hand pruners to tip prune if a natural shape is desired. Can also No S 8-10'h x 6-8' w be hedged or pruned back hard to rejuvenate. Euphorbia characias Euphorbia summer/fall Cut back spent 'flower' bracts down to the base. Wear gloves to avoid No P 4' h x 4' w skin contact with milky sap. Euryops pectinatus Euryops, Shrub Daisy fall Can be pinch pruned after flowering to keep a compact shape. Tolerates No S pruning well and can be cut back hard once established. Festuca californica California Fescue fall Remove spent flowers all the way to the base. Comb out grass with Yes G 1.5'-3'h x1-1.5'w gloved hands to remove thatch. Can be pruned back by 1/2 to renew. Festuca glauca Blue Fescue early spring Remove brown tips as desired through the year. Pull out brown leaves. No G 1'h x 1-2'w summer May be cut back to about 4" tall in February to rejuvenate new growth. Cut off spent flower stalks during summer. Festuca rubra Creeping Red Fescue fall Trim down with stringline trimmer or mower once per year. Rake Yes G 3-12"h x spreading regularly during growing season to remove thatch. Gaillardia grandiflora Blanket Flower fall Cut back the entire plant by about 1/3 after flowering decreases. No GC Galvesia speciosa Island Bush fall Tip prune spent flowers. Branches can be cut back half way for a Yes S 3-4'h x 4-5'w (Gambelia speciosa) Snapdragon more compact shape if desired. No deadheading of flowers needed Grevillea spp. Grevillea Tip prune after flowering for more dense foliage. No S Helictotrichon Blue Oat Grass Comb out with gloved hands periodically to remove dead/brown No G 2-3'h x 2-3' w sempervirens foliage. Heteromeles arbutifolia Toyon summer Susceptible to fireblight. Always use disinfected tools. Trim to control Yes S 6-8'h x 4-5' w dry weather size and form in spring. Trim minimally in summer. Avoid removing too many spent flowers that will become berries. Can be coppiced in winter if desired to rejuvenate. Berries make great holiday decoration. Hibiscus syriacus Rose of Sharon spring and Trim to control size and form. Do not sheer. Remove dead wood and No S 8-12'h x 6-10'w winter crossing branches during dormancy. Iris spp. Iris summer Bearded iris: divide after flowering and plant in summer. Easy to divide Some:Yes Bu varies with species, but usually 1-3'h x 2-3' w winter Douglas Iris/hybrids: Divide in late fall/winter only, just as new buds form. Foliage can be trimmed down when dividing. New foliage will emerge in spring. Remove brown foliage and spent flowers in summer. Lagerstroemia sp. Crape Myrtle winter Remove dead wood and crossing branches. Lightly prune for more No S, T Varies with species, dwarf from 3-4'h to 20'h in tree form flowers the next season and to create an attractive shape. Lantana camara Lantana late winter/ Needs pruning only to shape as needed. Prune in late winter/early No S 2'h x 3-5' w and montevidensis early spring spring. Edge groundcover varieties gradually every year by tip pruning for a more natural look. No deadheading of flowers needed. Lavandula spp. Lavender fall Trim back branches by about 1/3 to 1/2 to rejuvenate growth. Don’t No S 1-4'h x 2-6' depending on species cut back into old/leafless wood. Can dead head for more summer blooms. Replace plants once they are too woody. Leonotis leonurus Lion's Tail fall Prune plant back by about 1/3 after flowering to keep it dense No S 4-6'h x 4-6' w

Limonium perezii Statice/Sea Lavender late fall Blooms can be left on the plant to dry. When ready to prune off dried No P 12-18"h x 2-3' w flower stalks, cut them down to the ground. Pull off any dead leaves. Loropetalum chinense Fringe Flower spring Prune after flowering but before new buds set. Accepts pruning easily No S 3-6'h x 2-6' w, depending on cultivar Can be pinch pruned regularly or pruned back about 1/4 if desired No deadheading of flowers needed. Mimulus spp. Monkey Flower winter Pinch stems of young plants to keep growth compact. In late winter, Some: Yes S 1-3'h x 1-3'w , varies with species Cut back by 1/2 after flowering. Often new growth will begin on lower young' woody stems, and plant can be cut back to top of new growth. Do not cut back into old wood, as it may not regrow. If it is in full sun, cut it back less than plants in part shade Monardella villosa Coyote Mint fall/winter Deadhead gradually to encourage growth. Can also be cut back Yes S 1-1.5'h x 1.5-3' w a bit harder in winter. It will look bare for a bit then regrow. Cut into wood with new sprouting leaves. Avoid cutting into old wood. Muhlenbergia capillaris Hairy Awn Muhly spring Cut plant back to a few inches before new growth begins No G 2-4'h x 2-3' w Muhlenbergia rigens Deer Grass fall or early Comb through with gloved hands as needed to remove thatch. It is a Yes G 4-5'h x 5-6' w spring warm season bloomer. Can be pruned back to about 6" high in fall or early spring to rejuvenate growth. Myoporum parvifolium Myoporum late winter to Can be pruned back to limit spread if needed. No deadheading of No GC 3-6" h x 10' w early spring flowers needed. Nandina domestica Heavenly Bamboo Cut back tall or unruly canes down to the base . No S 1.5-5' h x 1.5-4', depending on cultivar Nepeta spp. Catmint winter Cut back entire plant to the ground each winter to rejuvenate No P 1'h x 2-3' w Osteospermum spp. African Daisy summer to fall Deadhead flowers through season for more blooms. Cut flower stems No P 1-2' h x 2-4' w back to the first layer of leaves. Pelargonium X hortorum Garden Geranium spring to fall Trim off spent flowers down to the leaves. Pinch back at any time to No P 1-2' h x 1-2' w keep compact. Pennisetum alopecuroides Black Pennisetum winter to spring Cut back entire plant to about 4" above the ground to rejuvenate No G 2-3' h x 2-3' w Penstemon wild spp. Penstemon spring Deadhead after flowering, low into foliage Some: Yes P varies with species Phlomis fruticosa Jerusalem Sage fall Remove spent flowers and any dead wood. No S 4' h x 6' w Phormium tenax New Zealand Flax fall No pruning needed except to remove brown leaves at the base No P 1-12'h x 2-12', depending on cultivar or remove spent flowers at the base. Do not cut the top off the leaves Pittosporum tobira Mock Orange summer/fall Tip prune as desired to control size/shape after flowering No S 6-15' h x 6-15' w, but dwarf cultivar at 2-3'h x 4-5' w exists Plumbago auriculata Cape Plumbago fall No deadheading needed. Tip prune as desired to keep compact No P 6-7'h x 8-10' w Polygala X dalmaisiana sweet pea shrub fall Trim back about 6" after flowering No S 3-5' h x 3-5' w Rhamnus californica coffeeberry summer or fall Prune in spring to control growth as needed. During fall, prune dead Yes S 6-8'h x 6-8' w (Frangula californica) wood. Selectively remove long branches to shape. Do not sheer. Rhaphiolepis indica Indian Hawthorne earlier spring No deadheading needed. Tip prune as desired to keep compact No S 4-6'h x 4-6' w, but smaller cultivars exist or after bloom Ribes sanguineum Flowering Currant fall Gently remove stubborn old leaves and dried flower stems so they Yes S 6-12'h x 5' w don’t interfere with flowering in spring. Prune out dead wood and any crossing or awkward branches. Can be summer deciduous. Ribes viburnifolium Evergreen Currant summer or fall Prune to shorten branches that have grown too long. Prune gradually Yes S 3-4'h x 4-6'w each season for best affect. Long branches will also root if pushed into soil. Can be trained as fence cover, arching shrub, or groundcover. Rosemarinus 'Prostratus' Trailing Rosemary early spring or Trim back new growth to keep compact if desired. Regular tip pruning No S, GC 2'h x 4-8' w for GC, 2-6'h x 2-8' w for shrubs depending on cultivar and officinalis late fall keeps it nicely in shape for a longer time. Salvia apiana White Sage winter Dead head dried flower stalks down to foliage level or just below first Yes S 3-5'h x 3-6'w layer of leaves. Seeds are attractive to birds. Salvia 'Bee's Bliss' Bee's Bliss Sage fall Pinch or prune as needed and deadhead after flowering. Yes S 1-2'h x 6-8' w and groundcover cvs If edging is needed, pinch or prune gradually vs shearing Salvia chamaedryoides Blue Sage fall Prune back after flowering to the first set of leaves or slightly more. No P 2'h x 3-4' w Do not prune into old wood Salvia clevelandii Cleveland Sage fall Dead head after flowering. Can be pruned back by about 1/3 in fall to Yes S 3'h x 3'w and hybrids keep it compact. Pruning when young is beneficial as it prevents the shrub from getting woody. Do not prune into old wood. Seed pods are attractive to birds. Salvia greggii & hybrids Autumn Sage summer After flowering, prune back all branches by about to the first leaves. No S 1-4' h x 1-3' w or larger depending on cultivar Salvia muelleri Do not prune into old wood. Salvia leucantha Mexican Bush Sage summer and Dead head after flowering. Coppice the entire plant in early spring after No S 3-4' h x 4-6' w early spring frost season is over. Salvia officinalis Culinary Sage fall or early Prune back after flowering to the first set of leaves or slightly more. No S 1-3' h x 1-2' w spring Do not prune into old wood. Salvia spathacea Hummingbird Sage summer Dead head flowers all the way down to the base to prevent it from Yes P 1-2'h x 4-5' w and fall getting woody. Once roots are established, any dead/woody material can be removed down to the ground and the plant will resprout once it is watered.

Santolina spp. Lavender Cotton fall and spring Prune back after flowering to the first set of leaves or slightly more. No S 2-3'h x 2-3' w Do not prune into old wood. Benefits from regular pruning to shape Scaevola 'Mauve Clusters' Fan Flower winter Flowers can be trimmed off to encourage more blooms. No P Trim back in winter to rejuvenate growth. Stachys byzantina Lamb's Ear late summer Trim off flower spikes to the ground after bloom. Prune out dead No P 1'h x 3-5; w winter foliage as needed through the season. Once established (2-3 years) it can be pruned to the ground in winter and it will regrow. Syringa vulgaris lilac summer Trim back and shape immediately after flowering once the plant is No S 10-12'h x 6-10' w established. Long branches can be removed all the way to the ground. Thymus spp. Thyme regularly through Prune regularly to keep plant compact and prevent woody stems. No GC <1' h x spreading warm season in late summer, cut oldest stems on plant back by about 2/3. Verbena lilacina Cedros Island Verbena early spring Cut plant back by about 1/3 to keep it compact. Can be lightly Yes P 3'h x 4' w and summer pruned in fall, but avoid winter pruning as it is frost tender. Westringia fruiticosa Coast Rosemary warm season Tip prune taller branches as needed to keep plant compact about No S 3-6' h x 5-10' w once or twice a year