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Hedge of Abelia Miss Lemon with green, yellow and white foliage

Late Winter Pruning (January-February)

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  2. Late Winter Pruning (January-February)
  • By Kim Toscano
  • August 6, 2019
The bulk of your pruning will occur in Late Winter, here's the plants to prune

The bulk of shrub pruning occurs in late winter when plants are dormant, just before new growth begins to emerge. This is also a good time to clean up beds by cutting back ornamental grasses and perennials. Pay close attention to fruiting shrubs to encourage high yields.

Evergreens

  • Prune most broadleaf evergreens now: abelia, boxwood, cleyera, elaeagnus, nandina, privet, and holly. Wait until after flowering for spring bloomers.
  • Viburnums (both evergreen and deciduous) can be cut back hard to reduce size, but you will sacrifice flowers for the season. Wait until after flowering for light pruning.
  • Needled evergreens including arborvitae, juniper, and yews can be shaped in late winter. Take care not to cut back into old wood. Wait until March to prune pittosporum. Conifers (cone-bearing evergreens) are pruned in June.

Deciduous Shrubs

  • Many ornamental shrubs bloom on new growth that emerges in spring. These are pruned in late winter: beautyberry, butterfly bush, clethra, crapemyrtle, panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata), smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens), roses, and rose of Sharon.
  • Shape barberry, dogwood, and deciduous holly as needed.
  • Wisteria: prune shoots down to three to five buds to encourage better blooming.

Hedges

  • Formal hedges often require both a winter and mid-summer shaping, including plants like abelia, arborvitae, boxwood, euonymus, holly, juniper, and privet.

Fruits

  • Blueberry: Reduce the number of stems, leaving only three each of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year canes.
  • Blackberry: Reduce the number of canes/stems per plant, leaving the strongest. Trim the side (lateral) branches of remaining canes to 12-15 inches for larger fruits.
  • Figs: Remove any dead, damaged, or weak branches to encourage growth.

More Pruning Articles by Season

Late Summer Pruning (August-September)

Read More »
Orchid Camellia shrub in full bloom

Spring Pruning (March-April)

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Hedge of Low Rider holly showing its medium green petite green leaves

Pruning in Early to Mid-Summer (May-July)

Read More »
Hedge of Abelia Miss Lemon with green, yellow and white foliage

Late Winter Pruning (January-February)

Read More »
Christmas swag of Southern Living greenery on simple white mantle with glass framed windows and a wreath

Autumn Cuttings (October-November)

Read More »

Kim Toscano

Kimberly Toscano is a freelance writer, gardening expert and traveler with an eye on design. Kimberly blends her formal training in horticulture and entomology with her passion for design to educate and inspire gardeners.
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