When to prune is a question I am asked almost every day. The best time to prune a flowering shrub is usually determined by when it blooms. Typically, a plant that blooms in Spring should not be pruned in Winter. The rule is, if it blooms before May, wait and prune after it blooms. If it blooms after May, that usually means it blooms on new wood, so if it needs pruning, do it in Winter.
Here's a list of plants to prune in February:
- Crepe Myrtle
- Lilac Chaste Tree (Vitex)
- Pomegranate
- Summer-blooming Hydrangeas such as Annabelle and Peegee
- Abelia
- Holly
- Summer Flowering Spireas like Anthony Waterer and Little Princess
- Grapes and Muscadines
- Roses, except the ones that bloom only once in Spring. Examples of roses that should not be pruned in Winter are Lady Banks and Caldwell Pink Climber.
