Andromeda | Natural Pruning Techniques (Pieris japonica)

Anders prunes a Japanese Andromeda tree that was formerly sheared into a ball. Shearing "works" but will confuse (and possibly kill) plants in the long run. There is a naturally beautiful and unique shape to every plant, let's find that!
In this video Anders brings the structural integrity of this Andromeda back by rerouting the energy of the tree upwards. Feel free to leave any questions below and we will be happy to answer them!
#pierisjaponica #apicaldominance #treerehabilitation
Piano music provided by our sister MoodyMay

[@Likeabuterfly]

Here to say thank you!!! You’re video was SUPER helpful… heading out to try and help mine right now :)

[@hermeticorderofthegardendawn]

You’re so welcome thanks for watching!! Happy pruning!

[@AJTwitchel]

Very neat video

[@hermeticorderofthegardendawn]

Thank you!!

[@chrisk50]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I have three of these which have been maintained as low hedges for years, I've been wanting to figure how make the foundation plants look more natural, without actually removing the plants.Super helpful!

[@hermeticorderofthegardendawn]

You're welcome, Chris! Thanks so much for your kind words :)

[@That1HippieChick]

Thanks for the Education on this beauty! I have this TREE in my front yard in front of my front porch in PNW too. It’s been sheered as you say on its top twice in 4.5 years (the landlord sent some rando company out to prune the “bushes” and bark the beds), as you can’t see out from the front door/porch, they cut the top off mine down to just below the porch railing. They took about 18” of height off both times! Now that I know it’s a tree and not a bush, I will ask them to treat it as a growing tree and not treat it like a bush, and let that baby grow!! This is the first year I’ve seen it flower as no one has touched it in 2 years, and it’s so pretty!! 😊✌️ 🌳

[@hermeticorderofthegardendawn]

Ah yes the ol’ “trim the bushes” & let’s vacuum the soil while we’re at it approach - I’m all too familiar with it. So happy to hear that it’s flowering again!! I’m not an authority figure by any means but it just seems odd that we would call anything that wants to grow to twenty feet a “bush”.. sounds more like it’s just a tree that you can treat like a bush because it’s hardy enough to shear. All too often that makes them lose a lot of luster, wildness and sometimes even their blooms too. Let ‘em grow we say!

[@ariverdreaming]

Wow what a glow up! 🌸

[@sammysworld5485]

Wow that Pieris must be 20+ yrs old. They are very slow growing. I have four planted in my garden. They are a sight to behold in Spring when it blooms. I’m planning on tree forming mine when it gets to the desired height.

[@hermeticorderofthegardendawn]

It's quite old, real big trunk. We need to post a follow up though after we did this in the winter it put on some lovely growth at the canopy that's going to flower real pretty! Compared to years past it grew a lot more at the top. Good luck with the tree forming!!

[@redrobotsoup]

Do you two have any favorite pruning books? Or books that describe plant growth dynamics? Thing looks great after pruning!

[@rscottdavis1957]

Looks beautiful

[@ChrisGarza57]

Hey there 👋 I stumbled across your channel while looking for info on Variegated Japanese Andromeda. I have one at my Lodge in Troutdale, and it hasn't been cared for in probably 10 years or so. Would love to know your take on it if you're ever in the area.

[@hermeticorderofthegardendawn]

We travel around the PNW and would be more than happy to come take a look! Email us through our website www.gardendawn.com :)

[@jacob92icu]

Hello, great video! When is the best time to prune the Pieres Japonica? I read recently that if you cut the buds in the fall it will not flower the following spring. I’d like to do mine as it’s growth is quite random and doesn’t look very neat, but would hate to mess it up as it blooms beautifully each year.

[@CatskillsGrrl]

Very interesting! Can you coppice an andromeda?

[@hermeticorderofthegardendawn]

Good question! I’ve seen a couple come back after getting chopped to the ground whether intentionally or not, but it’s not a species that I think you could make a habit out of coppicing and should be avoided. They are tough though. Most (but not all) woody trees/shrubs that can be trained to develop a healthy stool from annual coppicing are deciduous and not evergreen. This helps them store more energy in their root systems after the leaves fall each year.

[@CatskillsGrrl]

@@hermeticorderofthegardendawn ah! Yes, that makes complete sense. Thank you!

[@myl3monlim348]

When is the best time to hard prune like this?

[@hermeticorderofthegardendawn]

All renovation/rehab pruning is best done in the dormant season. So here in the PNW that’s from December through March. Late winter and into early spring. There is some wiggle room but if you’re concerned for the welfare of the plant it’s best not to do “hard pruning” or big cuts during the growing season or when it’s hot out.

[@myl3monlim348]

i’m starting to plan to do the hard prune soon. I am nervous and excited. I purchased a 50 yr old home with an overgrown, leggy japonica. I think i’ll follow your tips here to make into a tree-like plant, and not a bush. If you have any more tips, I’d appreciate it. I am also in the PNW. u

[@PauloQDesigner]

Please be careful with your lovely dogs, because Unfortunately, these shrubs are poisonous to humans and pets. All parts of Pieris japonica contain Grayanotoxins that affect the heart, brain, and nervous system.

[@hermeticorderofthegardendawn]

Thanks for the tip!

[@tony714keene]

That looks like are