The Best Time of Year to Cut My Shrubs Back

Summer Flowering Shrubs

• Shrubs that produce flowers during summer include spirea and potentilla. The Iowa State University Extension recommends pruning these shrubs during late winter or early spring.

Spring Flowering Shrubs

• Lilac and forsythia are examples of shrubs that flower in the spring. The need to prune these shrubs depends on their condition. Cut back very large or overgrown shrubs in late winter and early spring. Prune smaller shrubs right after they have finished blooming.

Deciduous Shrubs

• The best time to prune deciduous shrubs is during late winter and early spring before the new growth begins, as cited by the Iowa State University Extension. Avoid pruning in late summer, as the tender new growth will be susceptible to cold and frost damage.

Evergreen Shrubs

• Prune evergreen shrubs lightly during late June or early July if only minimal pruning is required. Perform regular pruning on evergreen shrubs like juniper and yew before new growth is produced during late March and mid April.