Before I got into gardening, I messed up so many plants by trimming them at the wrong time. These days, I know better!
If you’re wondering when to prune your trees and bushes, I’ve got your back with this simple guide.
Why Pruning Is Important
You know how a good haircut makes you feel refreshed and healthier? That’s exactly what pruning does for your plants!
It encourages strong branching and gets rid of those weak, crossing branches that make your plants look messy.
Just like we remove old, worn-out items from our closets, pruning eliminates dead or diseased wood, making way for fresh new growth.
My favorite benefit? Proper pruning helps your plants stand strong against those crazy wind storms that always seem to hit right when you’ve finished tidying the yard!
Modern Roses
Timing and Types
Remember when I thought all roses were the same? Well, I was so wrong! Modern roses (like hybrid teas and floribundas) are actually pretty different from those old-fashioned varieties.
These beauties produce flowers on new growth, which means timing their pruning is super important.
Living in the midwest, I’ve learned to prune my roses in spring after the frost threat passes. But if you’re lucky enough to live somewhere warmer, you can get started in mid to late winter.
Hydrangeas
Old Growth Bloomers
I used to be so confused about hydrangeas until I learned this simple trick: some bloom on old wood, some on new.
Big leaf and oak leaf hydrangeas are your early bloomers – these show off their flowers in late spring to early summer.
For these types, I wait until late summer after they’ve finished their flower show before giving them a trim.
New Growth Bloomers
Then there are the late bloomers – your panicled and wild hydrangeas.
These gorgeous plants flower from mid-summer into fall, and they’re actually pretty forgiving when it comes to pruning.
I tackle these ones in late winter or early spring before they wake up from their winter snooze.
Flowering Shrubs
Spring to Early Summer Bloomers
My gorgeous lilacs taught me this lesson the hard way – spring bloomers need summer pruning!
These early birds flower on old wood, so you’ll want to wait until their blooms fade before getting out those pruning shears.
Summer to Early Fall Bloomers
For my late-blooming shrubs, I mark my calendar for late winter to early spring pruning.
Trees
Early Blooming Trees
My neighbor’s dogwood is the perfect example here – these spring show-offs need summer pruning.
Wait until those beautiful blooms fade before making any cuts.
Summer Blooming Trees
Summer bloomers are much more easy-going – you can prune these any time from late fall through early spring.
Deciduous Trees
Here’s my favorite pruning hack: wait until your trees are completely bare!
When there’s no leaves in the way, you can really see what you’re doing, and the cuts heal faster too.
Plus, pruning right before spring gives your tree the best chance to bounce back strong with new growth.
Trust me, once you get these timing basics down, pruning becomes so much less stressful. Just remember – when in doubt, wait it out! It’s better to prune a little late than too early and damage your precious plants.