Pruning is probably one of the most confusing topics for new gardeners because there is no single method or timing that suits all situations. But, there are some basic underlying principles that, once you know them, can make it much easier to know whether to snip and clip or leave things alone.
I’ll walk you through some easy Pruning 101 guidelines as well as my own pruning and deadheading calendar which you can adapt for the plants in your garden.
Related: How to choose the right pruning tool.
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How Pruning & Deadheading Helps
- Plant health and safety – removal of dead, damaged, or diseased, or overlapping branches, buds, or roots, as well as suckers and water sprouts assists with plant health (strength, air circulation, sun reach, and pest and disease resistance) and appearance.
- Deadheading of flowering and fruiting annuals and perennials removes dead or dying growth, allowing room for new growth and blooms.
In spring, these plants are ‘cut back‘ to a few inches from the ground to allow room for new growth.
Do not worry if it seems overwhelming at first. The more you work in the garden, the faster you will develop an eye for which plants need attention.
Grow
Wait. Should You Prune?
When I started gardening, I had the impression that pruning was simply a necessary annual chore. It was only when I read up on it that I realized that while some pruning (and deadheading) can serve specific beneficial purposes, it may not often be necessary. And, when it is needed, there’s some valuable resources there you might want to hang onto. Read on.
Decay is Beneficial
- While a plant can do better with the removal of dead matter, it doesn’t mean you should remove the trimmings entirely from your garden.
- Dead and decaying matter is the essential lifeblood of the natural world.
- Yes, a large, dead overhead branch in the garden should be removed for safety reasons, but that same dead branch left on the ground is excellent and essential habitat and fuel for life in the garden, from the tiniest microbes to insects and wildlife.
- Nature can only renew itself through death, and a pristine, ‘clean’ garden is not a beneficial one.
The basic saying is, when in doubt, don’t prune! And when you should, don’t throw away the good stuff!
Disposal of diseased or pest-ridden matter is always smart, but, if you have room, the rest can stay.
My trimmings go in the compost piles and berms, become mulch, and get used for plant supports and garden art projects. A branch collection can be very handy!
Which pruners work best? Here’s the guide you need.
Pruning Principles 101
In general, the principle is, prune when the plant is asleep (dormant) or not producing buds or blooms.
- Many trees handle pruning best in mid-winter when the sap is not running.
- Trimming herbaceous growth like leaves on a boxwood hedge is done during the growing season (ending weeks before first frost).
- Many flowering perennials are best cut back or deadheaded in spring just as the new growth starts poking up.
While you could do this in the fall, you would be removing valuable winter food and habitat for wildlife (from microbes to birds and more), so wait if you can. - The key for pruning fruit trees and shrubs is to know when the plant fruits and whether it produces the fruit on old or new wood/growth.
The goal when pruning is to remove the old (and no longer useful wood) while protecting whatever parts are creating new flower and fruit buds.
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Empress of Dirt Pruning and Deadheading Calendar
If you would like to print a copy, you can grab a copy here.
Winter (while plants are dormant)
Remove dead or damaged limbs, suckers, overlapping or leggy branches.
- Deciduous, evergreen, and fruit trees.
- Shrubs grown for foliage (barberry, burning bush, euonymus…).
- Bush berries (blueberry, gooseberry, currants-oldest stems only).
Early Spring (some new growth may be starting to appear)
This is my main garden clean up time for the year.
- Summer-flowering perennials (daisies, coneflowers, black-eyed Susan’s…) – cut down last year’s growth.
- Ornamental grasses – remove old, dead growth.
- Roses – remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches only. Careful not to remove any new buds.
Summer
- Flowering perennials and annuals – deadhead (remove finished blooms) to encourage a second round of flowers.
- Trim and shape greenery like boxwood hedges up until 6 weeks before average first frost.
- Once-a-year blooming climbing and old garden roses – deadhead after blooming is finished.
- Clematis – look up which type you have and use this pruning guide.
Late Summer / Early Fall (after flowering, before new buds form)
- Most plants can wait for spring cleanup.
- Wildlife including birds depend on perennial seed pods and old growth for winter food and habitat.
- TIP: Put ribbons on any branches you need to prune when trees and shrubs are dormant in the winter.
- Cane Berries (raspberries and blackberries) – remove two-year-old canes soon after they finish bearing.
Summary
Remove dead and decaying parts with minimal impact on the next buds, bloom, or fruit.
Be sure to google pruning instructions for your specific plants to learn the best tools to use and exactly how and where to cut.
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Want to know which pruners work best? Here’s the guide you need.
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛
Hi Melissa, I have a few questions for you. We just moved in our home about this time last summer. Haven’t really done anything with the existing flower beds besides trying to keep the weeds out. There are already established shrubs and perennials around the house. We’ve decided it’s time to make the beds look a little more appealing to our neighbors. Ha! We researched and planted a few things in big pots with a mixture of perennials and a few annuals for color. They look beautiful. BUT…..there are a few shrubs I don’t have clue what they are. They are in the flower bed that runs along the length of my garage which happens to be to front lawn. There’s three of them with I guess boxwoods (remember..beginner here) on either side then crepe myrtles at the end of each bed. But these three shrubs slap in the middle had overgrown so high they weren’t a long ways off from my roof. And they have a willowy look to them. But I got complaints from our HOA that our house number was completely hidden so I took my hedge trimmers to them 😳 The underneath branches seems black to me. To stand back and look at them it almost appears they had been on fire at one time (which isn’t the case) but if I breach a branch off its more just dark brown. Strangest thing really. Idk if these things are dead or what. I have no clue what they are! I downloaded the app you recommended to identify flowers. Should I snap a picture of these and see if they can tell me anything? I need advice on what to do with them. I don’t suppose you offer anything like that? I could send you a picture and u give me advice on what you would do with them. They are really an eye sore. I also have a few perennials in my backyard that look very sad. A rose bush in terrible condition. I’ve never even attempted roses before because they intimidate me. There are a few blooms. Is just very thin and sad looking. Do you offer advice from pictures like I’m describing or can you recommend a site that does, or do I have to break down and call a professional out here for help. Once I know what I should do, I can go from there. Your tips on here plus Google and utube, I can get it done. It’s just the recommendations to start. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Frustrated but anxious to grow some green thumbs!!! Lol
Oh and forgot to mention that I’m in northern Louisiana.
Emily
Hi Emily, You could take photos and video on your phone and show someone at a good local garden nursery to ask for advice.
Melissa, bless you! My question is about the winter composting. May one use a Black Trash can, rather than steel? I’m in so cal, so our winters aren’t as extreme as what I recall in Canada. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Hi Marla, There’s two things I consider: can the container hold up in the weather (yours sounds like a yes) and is it safe? Could the container leach unwanted chemicals or substances into the compost? This may take some research to answer. If both are fine, I would use it.
Hi Melissa, thank you so much for all the information you share! Being new to gardening your posts are very helpful. And I love the crafts and diys that you share. Wishing you a sunny day, Wen
Very kind of you, Wen. Thank you. And sunny days for you too!
I am looking to start a garden this next spring at my new house. I really like what this article says about decay being beneficial. I think that the decaying plants would only help the soil. Thanks for sharing, this has been very helpful.