Garden chart
Pruning Calendar Chart by Plant Type
The general rule is to prune spring-flowering shrubs right after they finish blooming (they set next year's buds on old wood soon after), and to prune summer-flowering shrubs and most trees while dormant in late winter (they bloom on new growth made that season). Pruning at the wrong time doesn't usually kill a plant, but it can sacrifice a year of flowers.
| Plant type | Best pruning window | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring-flowering shrubs (lilac, forsythia, azalea) | Immediately after flowering | They set next year's buds on old wood shortly after blooming |
| Summer-flowering shrubs (butterfly bush, hydrangea paniculata) | Late winter/early spring, dormant | They bloom on new growth made the same season |
| Roses (most types) | Early spring, as buds swell | Removes winter dieback and shapes new growth |
| Fruit trees (apple, pear) | Late winter, dormant | Easier to see structure without leaves; heals before growth resumes |
| Stone fruit (cherry, plum) | Mid-summer, after harvest | Pruning when dormant increases disease risk in stone fruit |
| Evergreen shrubs (boxwood, yew) | Late spring to midsummer | After the first flush of new growth hardens off |
| Ornamental grasses | Late winter/early spring | Cut back before new growth emerges |
| Perennials (die-back type) | Fall or early spring | Either after frost kills top growth or before new growth starts |
| Maple and birch (bleeders) | Mid-summer or after leaf-out | Pruned dormant, they 'bleed' sap heavily from cuts |
Notes
- When in doubt about a shrub's bloom timing, wait to prune until right after it flowers — this is the safe default that never sacrifices next year's blooms.
- Remove dead, damaged, or diseased wood any time of year regardless of the calendar; that guidance is only about timing for shaping and rejuvenation cuts.
- Avoid heavy pruning in late summer/early fall on most plants — it can stimulate tender new growth that won't harden off before frost.
Put this into practice
- What to Plant This MonthWhat can I plant right now where I live?
- Frost Date LookupWhen is my last frost and how long is my season?
More charts like this
- Vegetable Spacing Chart: In-Row and Between-Row DistancesRecommended in-row and between-row spacing for the most commonly grown vegetables, in a raised bed or a traditional row garden.
- Seed Sowing Depth Chart by Vegetable and FlowerHow deep to sow common vegetable and flower seeds directly in the garden, plus days to germination as a rule of thumb.
- Mulch Coverage Chart: Square Feet per Cubic Yard by DepthHow much area one cubic yard of mulch covers at common application depths, plus recommended depth by mulch type.