The act of cutting away dead or overgrown parts of flowering plants to encourage desirable growth is a horticultural practice known as pruning. This involves selective removal of stems, branches, buds, and roots. For example, deadheading spent blossoms from roses encourages further blooming, while removing crossing branches from fruit trees promotes air circulation and sunlight penetration.
Proper trimming provides several advantages. It stimulates flower production, maintains plant health, controls size and shape, and improves overall aesthetic appeal. The history of this technique dates back centuries, with evidence of its use in ancient Egyptian and Roman gardens. Its application has evolved significantly over time with a deeper understanding of plant physiology.
