Can I Trim My Shrubs in November?

Effects of Fall Pruning

• Plants respond to pruning by producing new growth along the lateral parts of the branches, resulting in a full, bushy shrub. When pruned in November, a plant produces limited new growth, and the new growth will not have time to become conditioned to cold weather. Wounds created when a shrub is pruned in fall will also not have time to heal before cold weather sets in.

When to Prune

• Prune shrubs that bloom in early spring as soon as they finish blooming. Prune shrubs that bloom in summer, and shrubs grown for foliage rather than flowers, in early spring before new growth begins.

Hedges

• After hedges reach the desired height, prune whenever they grow another 6 to 8 inches. This usually means pruning twice a year, in spring and midsummer.