Now hear this. Pruning and cutting cause more problems than they fix. One thing we forget is that, in nature, plants manage to survive without our infinite wisdom and assistance. The fact is we’re really not that important! Much of the maintenance we do on plants is to please ourselves more than the plants. What I’m saying is that if you’re unsure of what to do, do nothing, for plants can take care of themselves. They might not be the epitome of tidiness, but they’ll survive. Following are some recommendations that fulfill the desire to tidy up and/or perhaps increase blooming, hopefully without affecting the plants in a negative way.
Some plants really need nothing done to them, winter or summer, or both. If you wish to tidy them up in the winter by removing any rogue branches; feel free to do so, but take heed that some spring bloomers hold their buds on the growth they make during the late summer and fall; if you cut that off, you may also remove potential flowers.
Prune anytime January to May, otherwise best if left untouched
Best if not pruned
Prune within 30 days after flowering, and do not fertilize after June
Light summer pruning and nutrition extends bloom into fall. Prune anytime during fall/winter
Best if left untouched during the growing season, otherwise prune anytime Feb through May
Do not prune during the spring/summer because it will remove flowers and (potential) berries. During the winter cut back to 18-24”
Prune within 30 days after flowering, otherwise best if not pruned
Best if left untouched during the growing season. Cut back to 12” during late winter
Prune late winter. Avoid cutting the central leader
Do not require trimming, but if you must prune anytime June through July
Prune anytime Feb through May. Wind protection will benefit winter color
Prune late winter if needed, but most are fine if kept natural
Prune late winter
Little to no pruning needed
Prune anytime Feb through May. Wind protection will benefit winter color
Prune anytime Feb through June
Prune anytime Feb through June
Lop the main central stalks to 1-2’ withing 30 days after flowering
Prune 30 days after flowering
Prune anytime during late winter
Prune anytime Feb through July
Prune within 30 days after flowering
Best if not pruned
Prune anytime Jan through April
Prune during late winter
Best if not pruned, but if you must, prune no later than mid summer
Best if not pruned, but if you must, prune no later than mid summer
Best if not pruned, but if you must, prune no later than mid summer
Prune hard in late winter
Prune during late winter
Prune during late winter
Prune during late winter
Best if not pruned
Prune within 30 days after flowering.
Prune anytime Feb through March.
Prune after the initial spring flowering
Pruning is unnecessary except removing any dead wood in late spring after new leaves appear.
For best growth results, prune during June or July
Prune anytime
No pruning necessary. Cut rogue stems if needed
Prune anytime Nov through Apr
Prune to control rogue stems only
No pruning or maintenance needed
No pruning necessary; you may cut rogue stems after flowering if desired
Prune within 30 days after flowering
Prune during late winter
Prune in mid spring after flowering
Prune minimally in midsummer. Hard cutting will cut any potential berries off
No pruning necessary; shape only if desired. Do not fertilize past June
Prune within 21 days after flowering. Do not fertilize past June
Prune anytime Nov through Mar
Trim lightly for rebloom. Shape in fall if needed
Prune after flowering
If needed, prune within 30 days after flowering
Little to no care. Shape in late winter if needed
Prune within 30 days after flowering
Prune back to 12” anytime Nov to Apr
Prune lightly in early summer to enduce rebloom
This guide is courtesy of Centeron Nursery