Here’s why you should prune these plants before spring: it helps them produce more flowers and foliage and grow better in the upcoming season!
Many woody plants and deciduous shrubs go through dormancy during late fall and winter. Prune these plants before spring, right as they break dormancy and after frost has passed to prepare them for bigger, better summer blooms, and robust growth.
Best Plants to Prune Before Spring
1. Crape Myrtle
Botanical Name: Lagerstroemia indica
USDA Zone: 6–9
Crape myrtle is a summer-blooming shrub that thrives in warm climates. It produces large, showy clusters of flowers in pink, red, white, and purple. Since it flowers on new wood, pruning before spring helps direct its energy toward fresh growth.
If you leave this one unpruned, it can become tangled with weak interior branches and produce fewer flowers. The best time to prune crape myrtle is in late winter to early spring, just before new growth starts but after the risk of frost has passed.
While removing old seed heads and thinning out weak branches will improve structure and airflow, it’s crucial to avoid over-pruning—a recipe for ‘crape murder.’ Also, prune lightly in warmer climates as it doesn’t go fully dormant in these temperatures.
2. Red-Twig Dogwood
Botanical Name: Cornus sericea
USDA Zone: 3–8
This ornamental shrub has striking red stems, which add winter interest to gardens. However, as the plant matures, the older stems tend to fade and turn dull brown. Pruning it in late winter to early spring helps maintain the bold red!
Remove one-third of the oldest stems at the base so that the plant redirects energy to new and intense red shoots. Some gardeners use a heavier pruning method for red-twig dogwood, known as coppicing.
This involves cutting all stems down to a few inches above the ground every 2-3 years, which encourages the most vibrant growth. Go for this method only if your plant is well-established.
3. Russian Sage
Botanical Name: Perovskia atriplicifolia
USDA Zone: 5–9
Russian sage is a drought-tolerant, woody perennial with silvery-gray foliage and tall spikes of lavender-blue flowers. Since it blooms on new wood, pruning before spring pushes fresh, healthy growth and prevents it from becoming leggy and sparse.
Cut the stems back to about 6–12 inches from the ground in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. In colder climates, leave a few stems intact over winter to shelter the plant, then cut them back before spring.
4. Bluebeard
Botanical Name: Caryopteris x clandonensis
USDA Zone: 4–9
Bluebeard, also known as the blue mist shrub, is a late-summer bloomer that produces fragrant, nectar-filled flowers that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Since it also flowers on new wood, prune in late winter to early spring to encourage the best blooms.
Cut the stems back to a couple of inches above the ground to promote a compact and bushy shape while stimulating fresh flowering stems. If your plant has suffered winter damage, remove dead wood before shaping the plant.
Note: Avoid cutting back very old wood, as it may not regrow as vigorously.
5. Wisteria
Botanical Name: Wisteria sinensis
USDA zone: 5-9
Wisteria is a vigorous rambler that needs to be pruned twice a year—once before spring and once after flowering in summer. If left unpruned, it becomes a tangled mass of stems that prioritizes vegetative growth over blooms.
It typically produces stunning cascades of blue and purple flowers on old wood and short flowering spurs on new growth. When you prune in late winter or early spring, it redirects its energy from foliage to flowers.
And pruning after flowering in summer provides better air circulation and allows sunlight to reach the base where young, fresh growth occurs. Simply cut back old, long, wandering shoots to about 5-6 buds from the main stem.
6. Butterfly Bush
Botanical Name: Buddleja davidii
USDA Zone: 5-10
The Butterfly Bush is a pollinator magnet. It produces long panicles of fragrant flowers that attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees throughout summer. Without proper pruning, this fast-growing shrub can become unkempt and produce sparser flowers.
Pruning it back in late winter will ensure abundant blooms by redirecting energy into forming buds. In colder regions where the plant dies back, prune to about 12 inches above the ground. Avoid pruning in the fall, as this can leave new growth vulnerable to the cold.
7. Rose
Botanical Name: Rosa spp.
USDA Zone: 5-11
Pruning rose bushes in late winter is one of the best ways to secure the best and brightest blooms! Early spring pruning helps remove dead or diseased wood, making space for new growth. It also improves air circulation and deters fungal infections.
Prune rose bushes back to about a third of their size just before spring when you see new buds starting to appear. For hybrid tea roses, focus on cutting back the longest canes, and for climbing varieties, be strategic about removing old and non-productive wood.
Tip: Roses are sensitive to the type of pruning cuts you make. For the best results, always prune at an angle—just above a bud—to promote new growth.
