Pruning Guides: When and How to Prune
Quick answer
Prune spring-flowering shrubs right after flowering and summer-flowering shrubs in late winter to early spring, before growth begins. Skip routine pruning from mid-August through leaf fall; dead, diseased, damaged or crossing branches can come out any time (Rutgers FS1221).
Timing matters more than technique for most garden pruning: cut a spring bloomer at the wrong time and you lose a year of flowers. These guides cover when to prune shrubs and which perennials to cut back in fall, with every recommendation drawn from university extension sources.
Pruning guides
When to Prune Flowering Shrubs
Spring bloomers right after flowering, summer bloomers in late winter, and what to leave alone from mid-August through leaf fall.
Pruning & fall careWhich Perennials to Cut Back in Fall (and Which to Leave)
When to cut back perennials by USDA zone, which to cut and which to leave for birds, bees and winter protection.
Pruning calendar at a glance
- Late winter to early spring: summer-flowering shrubs that bloom on new wood, before growth begins; rejuvenation pruning of overgrown multi-stemmed shrubs.
- Right after flowering: spring-flowering shrubs that bloom on one-year-old wood, which mostly bloom before the end of June.
- Mid-August through leaf fall: skip routine pruning; late cuts push growth that may not harden off before winter.
- Any time: dead, diseased, damaged or crossing branches.
Source: Rutgers FS1221. Details and shrub-by-shrub timing are in When to prune flowering shrubs.
Coming soon
These pruning topics are planned but not written yet, so they are not linked.
Pruning hydrangeas by type
How timing differs from one kind of hydrangea to another.
Pruning roses
Repeat-blooming and once-blooming roses.
Pruning fruit trees and berries
Fruit trees and berry canes.