When to prune
Plants that bloom on new wood are pruned in late winter; those that bloom on old wood are pruned right after flowering. Spring bloomers (old wood) are pruned right after flowering, because next year's buds form in summer. Summer bloomers (new wood) are pruned in late winter or early spring.
Blooms on 1-year-old canes
Blooms on 1-year-old wood
Blooms on 2-year canes (floricanes); fall raspberries on 1-year canes
Blooms on foliage
Photo: Acabashi, CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 NandinaLate winter, while dormant (before buds break) Pines and sprucesLate spring: pinch pine 'candles' as they elongate
Blooms on foliage (berries on old wood)
Blooms on group 1 old wood; group 2 both; group 3 new wood
Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0
Blooms on n/a
Elm (Dutch elm disease timing)Late winter, while dormant (before buds break) Photo: Koichi Oda, CC BY-SA 2.0 Oak (oak wilt timing)Midwinter dormant season (coldest months) Photo: Dguendel, CC BY 3.0 PalmsRemove only fully brown fronds, any season; avoid in cold months Shade trees, general (structural)Late winter, while dormant (before buds break)
Blooms on new wood
Photo: Enrico Blasutto, CC0 Photo: Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: Hameltion, CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: SAplants, CC BY-SA 4.0 Roses, hybrid tea and grandifloraLate winter/early spring as buds swell Photo: Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: Johann Jaritz, CC BY-SA 4.0
Blooms on old and new wood
Blooms on old wood
Photo: Bob Phoenix, CC BY 3.0 BlueberryLate winter while dormant Photo: PumpkinSky, CC BY-SA 3.0 Photo: NPS Photo, Public domain Photo: Gerda Arendt, CC0 Photo: SAplants, CC BY-SA 4.0 Hydrangea, climbing (H. anomala petiolaris)Within about 4 weeks after flowers fade Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: Joselodos, CC0 Photo: Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 RhododendronWithin about 3 weeks after flowers fade Spirea, spring-blooming (bridal wreath, Vanhoutte)Within about 3 weeks after flowers fade Photo: Fischer1961, CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0
Blooms on old wood (once-bloomers)
Blooms on old wood (rebloomers also bloom on new wood)
Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY 4.0
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Blooms on old wood (spurs)
Apple and pearLate winter, after the coldest weather WisteriaSummer (shorten whips) and late winter (spur back)
Blooms on spurs/old wood
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