When Is the Best Time to Trim Back Shrubbery & Hedges?

Pruning Shrubs

• Most shrubs benefit from trimming in late winter. As the dormant season comes to an end, plants begin to put energy into new growth. Prune just before new shoots and buds emerge in spring. Avoid pruning shrubs after new leaf buds and shoots develop. The first flush of new growth in spring uses significant resources stored by the plant and removing it causes stress early in the season. Shrubs to prune in late winter include deciduous and broadleaf evergreen shrubs grown for their foliage and flowering shrubs that bloom in late summer.

Early Flowering Shrubs

• Plan to trim back and prune early flowering landscape shrubs in spring after the flowers die back. You can prune early flowering shrubs in late winter along with foliage shrubs, but you won't get as many flowers that year. Early-blooming shrubs flower on last year's growth, so removing the growth before flowering reduces the number of blooms produced during the current season. Pinch off spent flowers and prune to shape. Prune as soon as the shrubs stop flowering.

Broadleaf Evergreen and Deciduous Hedges

• Trim broadleaf evergreen hedges in spring and again in summer. During the first spring pruning, trim back the hedge to the desired shape and size. At the summer trim, remove any new growth to keep the shrub looking tidy. Prune fast-growing shrubs whenever they grow 6 to 8 inches above the desired height. Trim flowering hedges after the flowers die back to get the most flowers out of the season. Prune deciduous hedges in late winter before new leaf buds appear.

Narrow-Leaf Evergreen Shrubs and Hedges

• Prune narrow-leaf evergreen shrubs and hedges like pine, fir, spruce, yew and juniper in early spring. You can extend the pruning time for juniper and yew shrubs and hedges until early summer, as these evergreens recover quickly. Prune pine shrubs by hand in spring as new, bright green growth called "candles" develops at the branch tips. Remove only the new growth when pruning pine shrubs and hedges.

Exceptions

• Prune broken branches whenever you notice damage. Make a clean cut 1 to 2 inches below the break, using pruning shears or a tree saw. You can cut back dense growth that blocks pathways and entrances any time of year. Remove diseased wood from shrubs and hedges to prevent the disease from spreading. Always sanitize tools when pruning and trimming diseased shrubs and hedges. When pruning shrubs and hedges, remove only a third of the plant's total mass in a single season.