A winter garden is a stark contrast to the vibrant leaves and buds that emerge from stems and soil each spring. Bare branches and crisp brown foliage of perennials that have died back for the season make the garden appear lifeless, though there’s still a lot going on behind the scenes as plants prepare for spring. Winter is when many plants go dormant and store energy for next season, and it’s a good time to prune them before that new growth begins. Here are the plants you should prune in winter for a healthy garden in the spring.
Apple Tree
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Apple (Malus domestica) and many other fruit trees benefit from pruning while they are dormant from late winter to early spring. Since there are no leaves on the apple trees during this time, their structure is easily visible for shaping and removing dead or damaged wood. As you get rid of unnecessary limbs, the tree can focus its energy into new growth when spring arrives. Pruning during dormancy also keeps the tree’s sap from “bleeding,” or flowing, which can attract pests and lead to diseases at other times of year.
Japanese Maple
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While Japanese maple trees (Acer palmatum) don’t require excessive pruning, winter is the best time to see the tree’s structure and any dead, damaged, or crossing branches that need to be removed. Bleeding is also minimal during this time. Because the tree is dormant, pruning during this time puts less stress on it.
Butterfly Bush
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While some gardeners prune butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) in the fall, the best time to do it is during the winter. This shrub blooms on new wood that grows in the spring, so anything you cut during winter won’t affect next season’s blooms. Cut it back by one-third to encourage a lot of new growth in the spring. If you need to manage the size of a very large plant, you can cut it down to the ground.
Rose Of Sharon
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Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a hardy hibiscus that can thrive in colder regions than its more tropical relatives. It goes dormant and loses its foliage from fall through early spring. Pruning any later than that can risk removing flower buds that have formed and reducing the amount of blooms. Prune to thin out the oldest stems to encourage new, younger growth. Make cuts at a 45-degree angle above outward-facing nodes for the best form as the shrub grows.
Hydrangea
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Not all types of hydrangeas should be pruned during winter, but it’s the best time to cut back panicle (Hydrangea paniculata) and smooth (H. arborescens) varieties. These grow on new wood from the current season, so you’re not removing any flower buds when you prune them in winter. Cut smooth hydrangeas back to about 1 foot from the ground, and trim one-third of the height of panicle hydrangea branches.
Wisteria
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Prune wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) while the vine is dormant to shorten shoots and thin out overcrowded branches. During winter, the wisteria vine has no leaves and it’s easier to see its structure for shaping and getting rid of dead or damaged branches. Aggressive types of wisteria can be pruned after flowering and again in winter to control their spreading nature.
Holly
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Winter is the best time to heavily prune holly bushes (Ilex spp.). Removing dead and damaged branches during the shrub’s dormant period encourages new growth ahead of the growing season. Light pruning can be done at other times of year, such as during late spring and early summer, for shaping and maintenance. Avoid pruning in late summer or fall because any new growth can become damaged in cold weather.
Abelia
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This low-maintenance plant is popular for growing along home foundations. Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora) tolerates drought and produces small fragrant blooms from spring well into fall. It can get leggy and overgrown, so pruning is necessary to remove dead branches and improve air circulation throughout the plant and to encourage fuller growth. Major pruning can be done during winter before any new growth begins and doesn’t put the season’s blooms at risk.
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