Winter Pruning for Shrubs
Jun 9th 2021
Winter Pruning for Shrubs
For many shrubs, winter is a great time for pruning. You may prune to promote flowering, encourage new growth, improve the habit or shape of the plant, or simply to clean up an untidy plant. It is important to know your plant before you start cutting away.
Flowers on old wood or new wood? Some plants develop flower buds in the previous year. These plants are said to flower on old wood. Conversely, plants that flower on new wood grow their buds on newly grown stems in the same year. Do not prune plants in winter that flower on old wood.
Flowers on Old Wood: Azalea, Deutzia, Elderberry, Forsythia, Lilac, Loropetalum, Ninebark, Quince, and Weigela
Flowers on New Wood: Bluebeard, Butterfly Bush, Diervilla, Smooth Hydrangea, Panicle Hydrangea, Potentilla, Rose of Sharon, and Roses
There are also plants that are best left unpruned so make sure you buy them with their ultimate size in mind. These plants include: Bigleaf Hydrangea, Mountain Hydrangea, Oakleaf Hydrangea, Rhododendron, and Winterberry. If you must prune them keep in mind the rule about old wood.
- Remove broken and wayward shoots.Start by pruning the branches that must be removed so that all future cuts will be balanced.
- Trim stems back to vigorous buds.Trimming stems back can help reduce size, even out the shape of a plant, and help growth to develop on strong buds further down on the plant.
- Remove selected stems entirely to thin the plant.Cutting stems off at the ground or far down on the plant can help to open up a plant, it will allow more light and airflow for better health and to promote more growth from the inside of a plant, or even from the ground as with Forsythia and Twig Dogwoods.
- Evergreens such as boxwood should be pruned in spring or late winter. Wait for late winter or the spring’s set of new growth before pruning these hedges and screens. Many of these evergreens just need an annual pruning. Occasionally it is a good idea to thin the plant to open up the inside to light and air.
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