Sometimes shrubs and bushes grow so fast, you’d swear you could watch them grow, if you had time to sit and stare at them long enough.
Wasn’t that barberry just pruned? Why is it already encroaching over the window? Why does the euonymus look so shaggy?
It might be time for a plant growth regulator to tame the beast. These products slow a plant’s growth to keep it tidier and under control, saving time and improving plant health.
How do they work? Are they safe? Do you need this service?
Let’s take a look.
What Are Plant Growth Regulators?
A plant growth regulator blocks the plant hormones that stimulate growth. Sprayed on a plant right after it’s been trimmed, it reduces regrowth.
When you slow the growth of a shrub or hedge, it doesn’t need pruning as often, maintaining its neat, attractive shape longer.
Here at Level Green Landscaping, we use two such products:
Atrimmec and Trimtect. These products reduce the regrowth of trimmed shrubs and hedges by 30 to 70 percent over the course of a season.
Why Slow A Plant’s Growth?
A shrub looks best right after it’s trimmed. Plant growth regulators keep that tidy, attractive look longer. Reducing the amount of pruning or trimming saves resources and keeps uneven new growth under control.
When bushes grow too fast, they can start to cover windows, provide hiding spots for intruders and block lines of sight on your property. All of that detracts from the safety and security of your site.
And, less frequent trimming is actually better for a shrub. Each time a plant is sheared, leaves and branches are opened up, making the plant more susceptible to diseases and insects.
Does It Harm The Plant?
It sounds a bit unnatural to slow the natural growth of a plant, but the process doesn't harm it. In fact, it’s actually beneficial.
When treated with plant growth regulator, a shrub doesn't produce as many new leaves. That means it directs its energy elsewhere — to growing bigger, stronger roots. Sturdier roots result in a healthier, more robust plant.
A treated shrub can also send more of its energy to its existing leaves, making them healthier and greener.
And don't worry about your flowering shrubs — they’ll still flower on schedule. The growth regulator doesn't affect blooms.
What Plants Benefit from Plant Growth Regulator?
We use plant growth regulators to target fast-growing shrubs, including euonymus, barberry and abelia. It works well on groundcover vines, too. Euonymus groundcover, for example, grows just as fast as the shrub variety, often entangling other plants, outgrowing planters and growing up the sides of buildings or trees. Growth regulator helps keep it in check.
Sometimes shrubs installed years ago were planted too close to buildings, sidewalks or driveways. Slowing their growth keeps them from damaging buildings or blocking sight lines.
Is It Safe?
Plant growth regulators are chemicals, and we treat them with the same care and precautions as we do all pesticides and landscaping chemicals. We strictly follow all state of Maryland laws and train our crews extensively on proper handling and safety.
Trust Your Plants’ Health To Level Green
At Level Green, we’re plant experts. We’d love to help you with all your commercial landscaping needs, from shrub care to seasonal color to healthy turf.
If you’re not already a Level Green Landscaping client, we’d love to add you to our growing list of happy customers. Let us help you make your property the best it can be.
Our focus is on commercial properties like offices, mixed-use sites, HOAs, municipalities and institutions in Maryland, Washington DC and parts of Virginia.
Contact us at 202-544-0968. You can also request a free consultation online to meet with us one-on-one.
We’d love to hear from you.
