7 Plants You Should Prune in Winter for a Beautiful Spring Garden

Rose Bushes

No matter the type of roses you’re growing, pruning this plant in late winter is ideal to “encourage new growth, promote proper air circulation, and to remove any dead or diseased branches, says Laura Janney, gardening expert and CEO of The Inspired Garden.

She adds, “It also allows you the chance to shape your roses to your desired size.” You can lightly prune young roses and heavily prune older roses, making sure to remove any crossing branches until you have a vase-like shape to your rose.  

She does note that newly pruned roses are susceptible to frost damage, so be patient and wait until you see forsythia blooming or right around your last frost date.

Coneflower

Coneflowers are one of the most beautiful plants you can keep in your yard, beloved for their vibrant petals and unique shapes. They also attract local birds and bees, making them a garden hero. 

“We love to leave the spent blooms of the coneflower over winter, as birds love to feast on their seedheads,” Janney says. “New growth will sprout from the very base (or crown) of the plant, so you can remove last season’s spent growth to tidy up your garden.”

Simply cut all the way down to the crown of the plant where you see new leaves popping up and unfurling. 

Ornamental Grasses

It’s important to cut back ornamental grasses in late winter to prepare for fresh spring growth, says Wally Rashid, a gardening expert and the owner of Woodland Pulse. Use sharp shears to trim clumps to about two to four inches above the ground. Wear gloves to avoid cuts from sharp grass blades, and avoid cutting too low, as this may damage emerging shoots. 

Panicle Hydrangeas

Panicle hydrangeas look different from other varieties with their cone-shaped flower clusters, and they also tend to bloom later in the season. Janney says you’ll want to neaten up your garden by removing last season’s spent blooms. 

“This also gives you an opportunity to shape your hydrangea bush or tree to your desired size,” she notes. “Look for tiny ‘eyes’ or notches on the stems of the hydrangea. Make a cut right above a notch to your desired size. Shape the hydrangea as you make your cuts.” 

Butterfly Bushes

Pruning your butterfly bushes in winter or early spring encourages healthy, vigorous growth, which makes for some pretty spectacular flowers in the spring. abundant flowers. Cut back all stems to about six to 12 inches above the ground, as they bloom on new wood. Just be mindful about pruning too early in areas with late frosts, as this can damage fresh shoots.

Apple Trees

If you’re lucky enough to have this beautiful fruit tree in your yard, give it some TLC by pruning the branches in late winter. 

“Apple trees can suffer greatly from disease, and allowing good air circulation can help limit this issue,” explains Michael Hartley, farm manager for Serenbe Farms. “They also need to be pruned to promote consistent bearing from year to year.” 

He recommends using hand clippers for water suckers that grow vertically from fruiting limbs and a nice pruning saw for larger limbs. Also, take care to remove damaged or broken wood. The idea is to create a scaffold of strong limbs to support the weight of the fruit.

Muscadine Grapes

Muscadine grapes are native to the southeastern United States and are loved for their thick skins and naturally sweet flavor. Unlike other grapes, they thrive in hot, humid climates and are often used to make wine, jams, and juices. Come wintertime, they go dormant and the leaves and vines wither. 

“Many berry plants only produce fruit on new growth, and in order to promote that growth and lessen the chance of disease, winter is the best time to prune muscadine grapes,” Hartley says.