Quick answer
Prune spring-flowering shrubs right after they bloom. Prune summer-flowering and non-flowering shrubs in late winter before new growth starts.
Rule of Thumb
- Spring bloomers (forsythia, azalea): prune after flowering
- Summer bloomers (crape myrtle, abelia): prune in late winter
- Evergreen hedges (boxwood, holly): light shaping in late spring and summer
- Avoid heavy pruning in late summer and fall
Why Late Fall Pruning Hurts
Pruning late encourages tender new growth that can be damaged by the first freeze.
Dead or Damaged Wood
Remove dead, diseased, or storm-broken branches any time of year.