Year-Round Pruning Guide for Every Plant Type

Pruning is a vital part of caring for your landscape plants. But when do you prune … everything?

Certain plants need certain types of pruning at specific times of the year in order to grow, bloom, fruit and look their very best. Determining when these different types of pruning and when to do it, can seem daunting, but here is a great list to break it all down for you, taking the guesswork out of your annual landscaping chores!

Late Winter

When everything is completely dormant for the winter, now is the best time to prune many trees and woody shrubs. When leafless, it’s easier to see the branching structure!

Apple, Peach, Pear, Plum & Other Fruit Trees
Hydrangea Paniculata
Oak Trees
All Ornamental Grasses - Unless you are keeping the blooms for winter interest
Most Deciduous Woody Trees

Early Spring - Before Flowering

Before or just as you see new growth emerging for the year. Shrubs that bloom in summer and fall form next year's flowers on that current year’s growth, so they can be pruned early spring without disturbing those blooms.

Honeysuckle Vines & Clematis
Most Roses
Flowering Shrubs - Abelia, Barberry, Buddleia, Sweetshrubs, Bluebeard, Bush Honeysuckle & Burning Bush
Spiraea bumalda - Which bloom in summer & fall
Hydrangea paniculata - Types that bloom on new wood
Rose of Sharon & Crape Myrtles - Both tree-form & shrub-form
Perennials - That you have left winter interest or seed heads on all winter
Annuals - Pinch now to encourage branching
Ornamental Grasses - If you left their blooms on for winter interest, cut down to just a few inches

Late Spring

Because sap flows in certain trees in the spring, it’s important to know that pruning too early will create a sticky mess. Waiting until these trees flower in spring, or just when the new leaves show, is a good idea.

Maples
Walnut Trees
Birch
Poplars
Hornbeam
Elm

Before Flowering

Any shrub that blooms on new growth can be pruned in early spring before they start to grow to shape, reduce the size, and eliminate the old and thick, less vigorous wood.

Perennials & Annuals - Before flowering to delay their bloom or to create a bushier, fuller plant with more branching
Fruit trees, Shrubs & Specimen flowers - Decrease the number of blooms per stem & increase the size of individual flowers

After Flowering

It is very important to know which of your plants bloom on new wood. Should they get pruned at the wrong time, you may not ever see flowers. Generally, these plants form their flower buds on last year’s growth and they will bloom in spring, so pruning them in fall or early spring will cut off the flowers that formed. The best time to prune these plants is as soon as they finish blooming. Prune to reduce the size or change the shape, and remove the oldest thickest stems too.

Kousa & Dogwood Trees
Redbud Trees
Honeylocust Trees - Prune in June while actively growing & prevent spreading disease
Shrubs: Amelanchier, Aronia, Azaleas & Rhododendrons, Camellias, California Lilac, Flowering Quince, Rockrose, Daphne, Forsythia, Sweetspire, Leucothoe, Mahonia, Mockorange, Pieris, Lilacs & Weigela
Viburnum - Unless you want fruit for birds
Holly trees & shrubs - Until after they bloom & pollinate female plants. Don’t prune female Holly so you can enjoy the bright red fruit
Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood
Other Flowering Trees - Magnolia, flowering versions of Fruit trees & Crabapples, & Witch Hazel
Deadhead Perennials & Flowering shrubs - Unless you’re keeping seed pods or fruit for winter interest
Fruit Trees & bushes - Time to thin fruit, creating larger fruit & decrease weight per limb
Fruiting & Flowering Trees - Prune to open the canopy for sunlight & air circulation.

After Fruiting

To prevent removing next year's blooms that become next year's fruit, pruning after harvest or fruiting is done ensures you won’t diminish fruit set each year.

Cherry Trees - Typically bloom & fruit early in the growing season, it's important to prune after fruiting is complete
Tropical Fruiting & Flowering Trees & Shrubs

When Foliage Yellows

Flowering bulbs form roots in the fall before going dormant, so the green foliage is very important for making food and storing energy for the next year’s blooms. So leave the green leaves intact until they turn yellow, and then you can trim the old leaves to the soil making room for other plants in your borders.

Spring & Fall-Planted Bulbs - Hyacinth, Tulip, Muscari, Daffodils, etc.
Spring Planted Bulbs - Gladiolus, Canna Lily, Elephant Ears, etc.
Spring Ephemerals

Early Autumn

Nights start getting cooler and some plants have already started shutting down for the year. Now is also the time to remove the leaves and stems that were diseased or dead to prevent overwintering in the old leaf litter.

Peonies
Annuals that are done for the year

Late Autumn

Deciduous plants are shutting down at this time and it’s time to prune if the leaves have fallen off. Rake up these leaves and compost them or dispose of them to prevent disease or overwintering insect eggs from transferring to the new year.

Most Perennials - Remove spent leaves & stems, plus remove old growth to make room for new growth. Unless leaving intact seed heads for winter interest or bird food.
Daylilies & Hostas - Let die down from a heavy frost or two & then remove all of the old foliage. Discard for sanitation purposes.

Special Plants and Situations

Wisteria Vines & Wisteria Tree-forms

Wisteria has a specific method of pruning that we suggest with a 2 step pruning cycle:

Early Spring - Remove dead/old limbs & shape
Summer Pruning - Shorten new growth by half after flowering to reduce the size
Read everything you need to know about Wisteria Pruning in our Garden Blog

Climbing Roses

Allow the first round of blooms to flower on the old canes from the previous year. Climbing Roses differ in that you will have to maintain some older canes until new shoots come from the ground. Then selectively remove the oldest, fattest stems to the ground after the first round of flowers.

Japanese Yews, Boxwood & Junipers

After their first flush of new growth for an informal look, make individual cuts on branch tips, or some like to shear them for a formal look. This is best done in early spring to remove any winter-damaged tips and again to reduce the amount of new growth in the first flush.

Fruit Trees

Pruning fruit trees is a whole science and changes by region because of climate or insects or disease.

It makes a big difference too if you have a newly planted young tree, or maybe you are renovating an older neglected fruit tree or orchard. Most suggest pruning Apples, Apricots, Peaches, Pears, Cherries or Plums during the winter when you can see crossing branches or broken or diseased branches that can be cut out. Young plants may not have those issues yet, and that may be more appropriate for older plants.

It is important to prune fruit trees right from the beginning so you can alter the form, opening up the center for air circulation and sunlight, and to select branches to best hold the weight of fruit without tearing the tree. Winter pruning is suggested to prevent the spread of disease or insects, and because you can see the branching of the plant.

While many others suggest pruning fruit trees during the growing season to easily correct the form because those pruning cuts heal almost immediately with less chance of disease issues. So before pruning your fruit trees, it is a great idea to do a little homework to get the timing right for your area of the country.

Types of Pruning

Most pruning should be completed by mid-summer so any new growth that forms afterward will have time to ‘harden off’ before winter frost.

Annual Cleaning

Removing dead or diseased, crossing branches - can be done any time, mostly late winter
Removing water growth & suckers - done in late spring or summer

Tip Pruning (Pinching)

Snipping off or literally pinching off the tips of growth before your plant flowers to encourage side branching and fullness. Done in Spring or as the new growth begins to expand.

Annuals, Perennials & Young shrubs
Candle pruning Pine trees - Read about this method in detail in our Garden Blog

Thinning

Removing the largest, thickest stems to make room for younger more vigorous stems, while also stimulating new growth.

Opens canopy for air circulation & sunlight
Roses, Evergreen shrubs & trees, Large shrubs

Heading

Heading back a tree or shrub means shortening up some of the lengths of the longer stems by pruning them back to control the size and shape of your plant.

Performed to dwarf a tree size - Better fit into smaller yards
Maintain container-sized Trees & Shrubs
High-Density Pruning

Shearing

A light surface pruning to create a smooth and formal appearance to evergreens and hedges. Topiary and hedges are often sheared after they’ve completed their first spring flush of growth, and some hedges can be sheared again in mid-summer.

Evergreen & Broadleaf Evergreen shrubs & trees
Hedge & Screening Plants - Prune so the limbs closest to the ground are wider and the tops narrower, no matter the maintained height. This ensures that they won’t shade out the bottoms and hold their foliage right to the ground for best screening
Arborvitae, Boxwood & Holly in formal situations

Renewal Pruning

Renewal pruning rejuvenates older, neglected shrubs by cutting out the oldest, thickest stems to the ground leaving the thinner younger stems in place to flower and fruit. This can also apply to removing the top third of a shrub to encourage a flush of new growth.

Many Shrubby, Deciduous Flowering Shrubs - Especially those that bloom on last year’s growth, benefit from having the oldest, thickest stems cut out leaving the thinner, younger and more vigorous stems in place to flower and fruit
Flowering & Fruiting Trees & Shrubs - Flower & fruit better with a renewal pruning every third year
Red & Yellow Twigged Dogwoods, Lilacs & Viburnums - All respond beautifully to renewal pruning
Bush Roses & Shrubs

Cutting Back

Cutting back perennials and some grasses is a yearly task done to remove all of the old top growth from the previous growing season. This is best done either in fall for perennials that may have had diseased leaves or the old growth, or in early spring before there is new growth. Ornamental Grasses are best left up for winter to enjoy, and so the cut hollow stems don’t collect water which can cause problems.

Topiary

Spirals, boxes, circles or cones, even pom-poms - Create unusually shaped shrubs or small trees with specialized cuts and training, combined with shearing to create a unique garden Topiary sculpture!

Boxwood
Privet
Juniper
Holly
Grafted Spruce

Espalier

Space-saving flat pruning technique that trains a tree or vine into a unique specimen that can act as a focal point or living wall/screen in the garden without taking up space. Read more here in our Garden Blog!

Sharpen Your Shears!

Pruning is a very important part of garden maintenance! Nature Hills is happy to take the guesswork out of when and how to prune! Save time and prevent mistakes by allowing NatureHills.com to help you keep your garden growing beautifully every year!

Happy Pruning!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you prune flowering trees without damaging next season's blooms?

The key is understanding whether your flowering tree blooms on old wood or new wood. Trees that bloom on old wood, like many spring-flowering varieties, should be pruned immediately after flowering so they have time to set next year's buds. Trees that bloom on new wood, such as Crape Myrtles and Rose of Sharon, can be pruned in early spring before growth begins without affecting the season's blooms. Always identify your tree's bloom cycle before reaching for the pruners, and when in doubt, prune right after the flowers fade.

When should you prune shrubs and bushes throughout the year?

Pruning timing for shrubs and bushes depends on whether they bloom on old wood or new wood. Shrubs that bloom on new growth, such as Buddleia, Bluebeard, Rose of Sharon, and Hydrangea paniculata, can be pruned in early spring before new growth emerges. Shrubs that bloom on old wood should be pruned right after they finish flowering to avoid cutting off next season's buds. Always start by identifying your shrub's bloom cycle, then schedule your pruning accordingly to protect flowering and keep plants vigorous.

How do you prune flowering shrubs that bloom in spring versus summer?

Shrubs that bloom in spring, like lilacs and forsythia, set their flower buds on last year's growth (old wood), so prune them immediately after flowering to avoid cutting off next season's buds. Shrubs that bloom in summer and fall, such as Buddleia, Bluebeard, and Abelia, produce flowers on the current season's new growth, meaning you can prune them in early spring before growth begins without sacrificing any blooms. As a general rule, wait until you see new growth emerging in early spring to tackle summer bloomers, cutting them back to shape and removing old, thick, less vigorous wood. For spring bloomers, keep your pruners ready right after the last flower fades and complete the job within a few weeks to give the plant maximum time to set buds for the following year.

When and how should you prune milkweed in spring?

Milkweed should be pruned back hard in early spring before new growth emerges, cutting stems down to just a few inches above the ground. This encourages vigorous new shoots that are most attractive to monarch butterflies and other pollinators. Wait until you see the first signs of new growth at the base before cutting so you can confirm the plant has survived winter, then trim away all the old dead stems cleanly at that point.

Should you cut phlox back in the fall or wait until spring?

For garden phlox, waiting until early spring is generally the better approach, as the dried stems and seed heads provide some winter interest and habitat for beneficial insects through the cold months. In climates with harsh winters (zones 3-5), leaving the foliage standing also offers a small amount of insulation to the crown. Cut stems back to just a few inches above the ground in early spring as soon as you see new growth beginning to emerge. This timing keeps the plant tidy while avoiding any risk of exposing the crown to late-season cold damage.

How do you prune flowering plants to encourage more blooms?

For most flowering shrubs that bloom on new growth, prune in early spring before growth begins to remove old, thick, less vigorous wood and shape the plant. Pinching back annuals and perennials early in the season encourages branching, which creates more stems and ultimately more blooms. For fruit trees and specimen flowering plants, selectively reducing the number of blooms per stem before flowering directs the plant's energy into producing larger, higher-quality flowers. Start with clean, sharp pruners and remove no more than one-third of the plant at a time to keep it healthy and productive.

How do you trim rhododendrons without cutting off next year's buds?

Rhododendrons bloom on old wood, meaning they set next year's flower buds shortly after they finish blooming in spring. To avoid removing those buds, prune immediately after the flowers fade, typically within 2 to 4 weeks of bloom. Avoid pruning in late summer, fall, or winter when buds are already formed and waiting. Deadhead spent flower clusters by snapping them off just above the new growth nodes, then do any shaping cuts right below the faded blooms to keep next season's buds intact.

When is the best time of year to prune clematis for healthy growth?

Clematis is best pruned in early spring, just before or as new growth begins to emerge for the season. Since clematis blooms on current year's growth, pruning at this time will not interfere with flowering and encourages vigorous new shoots. Cut stems back to a strong pair of buds, typically 12 to 18 inches from the ground, to promote a full, healthy framework for the season ahead.

How do you know which branches to remove when pruning flowering bushes?

When pruning flowering shrubs, start by removing the three D's: dead, damaged, and diseased wood first. Next, cut out any crossing or rubbing branches, then remove the oldest, thickest stems at the base to encourage vigorous new growth. For shrubs that bloom on old wood, like lilacs, prune right after flowering to avoid cutting next year's buds, while summer and fall bloomers can be pruned in early spring before new growth emerges. Always make clean cuts just above a healthy outward-facing bud or branch junction to direct the plant's energy toward strong, open growth.

Can pruning at the wrong time of year harm your shrubs and trees?

Yes, pruning at the wrong time can absolutely harm your shrubs and trees. Pruning spring-blooming shrubs in late winter removes the flower buds they set the previous season, costing you an entire year of blooms. Cutting maples, birch, walnut, and elm too early in spring causes excessive sap flow and can stress the tree. Always identify whether your plant blooms on old wood or new wood first, then match your pruning schedule to that growth habit for healthy, productive results.

#ProPlantTips for Care - A Pruning Guide for the Year!