When Should a Flowering Almond Bush Be Pruned?

Pink flowering almond should be pruned when it's finished blooming.

Flowering almond shrub (Prunus glandulosa) grows 4 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. This small shrub blossoms in pink or white flowers in the early spring. Prune each year to maintain a healthy plant.

Time Frame

Since almond bushes flower in early spring, the best time to prune is after they finish blooming. In Connecticut, this is April; time the pruning to the time frame for your state. If you prune during the dormant season, you'll cut off a lot of branches that would flower and reduce your show of spring flowers.

Technique

North Carolina State University advises using hedge clippers on these shrubs and pruning them back by 1/3 or 1/2 of their height. Removing the top growth improves the form of the plant. If you cut back 1/3 of the old growth to ground level, you reduce the likelihood of the bush becoming scraggly at the outside with an open center.

Considerations

While you should plan to prune flowering almond after the bloom in late spring, if you notice diseased, damaged or broken branches at any time of year, remove them. Getting rid of broken or dead branches that can rot helps keep your flowering almond healthy.

References

• University of Connecticut: Dwarf Flowering Almond
• North Carolina State University: Pruning Trees & Shrubs