3 min readNow that the weather’s warming up, it’s time to get out there and start tidying your garden. Depending on where you live, there are many plants that can be pruned this time of year.
In warmer climates, things are really starting to gear up with new growth taking off. It’s also a (somewhat) safe bet that the worst of the cold weather is behind you.
“March through April is a good time to prune because freeze risk is mostly past,” says Megan Proska, associate vice president, horticulture and collections at Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. “This means new growth is less likely to be cold-burned, and wounds will heal faster since the plant is in a growing stage.”
In colder climates, there also are plenty of plants that can be pruned this time of year.
“If you see broken or split branches on shrubs or trees or crossing branches, it’s a good time to remove them,” says Amanda Bennett, vice president of horticulture and collections, and certified arborist at Atlanta Botanical Garden. “Also, look for deciduous trees that weren’t able to get over their winter damage and have those pruned for structural and safety reasons.”
In many cases, spring pruning also prepares plants for summer stress. “Thinning improves airflow, reduces disease pressure, and helps establish resilience before summer,” says Proska.
However, don’t forget that there are some plants you shouldn’t prune in early spring, such as shrubs that bloom on last year’s growth. Pruning them before they bloom will snip off this year’s flower buds.
Tress and shrubs you shouldn’t prune until after they bloom include:
- Spirea
- Indian hawthorn
- Loropetalum
- Viburnum
- Forsythia
- Lilac
- Redbuds
- Quince
- Deciduous magnolias
Ahead, read on to learn what our experts say you may be able to prune now in March and April, depending on where you live:
Prune now in the Mid and Lower South: Crepe Myrtle
This beloved Southern tree or large shrub should be pruned before it breaks dormancy and develops new growth. Just don’t commit the infamous “crepe murder” by topping the plant or cutting it straight across, which results in spindly new growth instead of a nicely-branched form. It also stresses the plant and leaves it vulnerable to pests and disease.
Prune after flowering in Mid and Lower South: Spring-Flowering Shrubs
After spring bloomers such as azaleas, gardenias, camellias, and forsythia bloom, you can shape them as needed. This is the time to manage their size if they’ve become large and unwieldy or are blocking windows and doors.
Prune now in Mid and Lower South: Catmint
This hardy perennial does best when you leave the foliage in place over the winter to protect the crown. But then you can shear catmint in early spring to clean up dead foliage; shear it again after flowering to encourage a second flush of flowers later in the season.
Prune now in most regions: Twig Dogwoods
Shrubby types of dogwoods, such as red-twig dogwoods, lose their glamour over time. In fact, red-twig dogwoods should be rejuvenation-pruned every two to three years because, as they get older, their bark turns corky and gray, and the desirable red color only appears on growth that’s three years or younger.
Prune now in Mid and Lower South: Vitex Trees
Cut back the sides of this plant by a third during the first couple years to form a denser plant. Because it blooms on this year’s wood, it’s fine to prune in late winter to early spring.
Prune now in most regions: Some Types of Hydrangeas
Some types of hydrangea, such as panicle (Hydrangea paniculata) and smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) can be pruned in late winter to early spring because they bloom on this year’s wood. However, don’t prune species such as oakleaf (Hydrangea quercifolia), which blooms on last year’s wood, until after they flower in late spring or early summer.
Prune now in most regions: Other Summer-Blooming Shrubs
Summer bloomers such as rose of Sharon, abelia, and butterfly bushes can be pruned in late winter to early spring to encourage new growth, which helps boost flower power. Just make sure you aren’t expecting any more freezes that could damage new growth.
