Spring might seem like a great time to cut back some of those unruly shrubs in your flowerbeds, but for some plants, early spring trimming does more harm than good – which is exactly why you need to avoid pruning a large majority of the bushes in home landscapes!
Many flowering bushes set their buds months in advance. In fact, so far in advance that they set them during the previous growing season. Unfortunately, if you prune these bushes in the spring, you risk removing the buds before they ever get a chance to bloom.
As it turns out, it’s one of the biggest reasons why many bushes fail to produce flowers. It’s not because they are unhealthy – but simply because they were pruned at the wrong time.
This is exactly why understanding when and how your bushes develop is so important. Knowing this can save bloom – and in the process, keep your landscape full of vibrant color year after year. While some plants flower on new growth, others rely on old wood from the prior season. And knowing the difference can save you from making a costly mistake!
5 Bushes To Avoid Pruning This Spring
Here is a look at five of the most common flowering shrubs to avoid pruning early in the growing season:
1. Let The Forsythia Bloom
Forsythia is one of the earliest shrubs to bloom in spring. And when it does, its branches are a sight to see with loads of bright yellow flowers. However, if you prune it too early, you remove the buds that were set the year before.
Since forsythia produces flowers on old wood, cutting back the branches in early spring means you’ll be trimming away this year’s blooms before they even have a chance to open. Pruning at the wrong time can also affect the plant’s natural growth.
Forsythia tends to grow quickly, and if it’s cut too early in the season, it may send out long, uneven shoots instead of keeping its signature cascading shape. Additionally, fresh cuts made in early spring leave the plant exposed to unpredictable weather, which can weaken it and slow down healthy new growth.
The ideal time to prune forsythia is right after the flowers have faded. This allows you to shape the shrub without removing next year’s buds. By waiting until after blooming, you give the plant plenty of time to grow and set new flower buds for the following season.
2. Don’t Cut Back Hydrangeas That Bloom On Old Wood
Some hydrangeas, like Bigleaf and Oakleaf varieties, form their flower buds on last year’s branches. Because of this, trimming them in early spring will remove the buds before they get a chance to bloom. This common mistake often leads to many gardeners thinking there is an issue with their hydrangea.
Bigleaf and Oakleaf hydrangeas need their older stems to stay intact until after blooming. If they are pruned too late in the year, such as in fall or early spring, the developing flower buds are lost.
What you do need to be doing in the early spring is fertilizing. Hydrangeas need power to help push out blooms, and early spring is the time to give it to them! Affiliate Link: TPS NUTRIENTS Hydrangea Fertilizer for Acid Loving Plants
As for when to prune – the best time is right after their flowers fade in summer. This gives them plenty of time to grow new branches that will produce next year’s blooms. If your hydrangea is getting too large or needs shaping, only remove dead or damaged branches in early spring. Avoid heavy pruning, as cutting too much can delay blooming for a year or longer.
3. Why You Need To Avoid Pruning Wisteria in Early Spring
Wisteria is a fast-growing vine that produces stunning cascades of flowers in spring. But if you prune it too early, you will cut off the flower buds before they get a chance to bloom.
Since wisteria grows quickly, regular pruning helps keep it under control. However, cutting it back at the wrong time can delay blooming or even prevent flowers for an entire season. Wisteria also blooms on old wood, meaning its buds form on branches from the previous year.
If you trim these branches in early spring, you’ll be removing the very parts that produce its flowers. Instead, the best time to prune wisteria is in late summer, once it has finished flowering. This gives the plant time to develop strong branches and set buds for next year. If needed, you can do light pruning in early spring to remove dead or tangled branches, but avoid cutting back healthy growth.
4. Leaving Lilac Bushes Alone In The Spring
Lilac bushes are a favorite in many gardens with their beautiful blooms and sweet fragrance. However, if you prune them in early spring, you are also accidentally removing the buds that create all of those gorgeous flowers and wonderful smells.
Lilacs bloom on old wood. If you trim them in spring or late fall, you’ll cut off the parts of the plant that produce future blooms, leading to fewer or no flowers.
While pruning is important to keep the bush healthy, timing is key. The best time to prune lilacs is right after they finish flowering. At this point, you can shape the bush by trimming up to a third of its size if needed.
Removing any weak or thin stems and small shoots at the base will also help keep the plant strong and encourage fresh growth for next year’s blooms. For more on getting the most blooms from your lilac bushes – check out our article: How To Get Lilacs To Bloom Big – The Secret To Fertilizing Spring Care!
5. Avoid Pruning Rhododendron Bushes In The Spring
Rhododendrons are well-loved shrubs that produce bright, beautiful flowers from late spring to early summer. However, just like the other bushes featured in today’s article, they develop their flower buds on last year’s growth.
If you prune rhododendrons in early spring, you’ll remove the buds before they have a chance to open, leaving you without flowers for the year. While it’s fine to trim an occasional stray branch, heavy pruning in late fall or early spring should be avoided.
The best time to prune rhododendrons is right after they finish blooming in late spring or early summer. This timing allows the plant to grow new branches and set buds for the next season, ensuring a colorful display year after year.
Here is to avoiding pruning bushes that bloom on old wood in the spring – and to having more flowers than ever this year!
This Is My Garden
Follow Our Facebook Page For Great Gardening Tips And Advice! This Is My Garden Facebook Page
This Is My Garden is a garden website created by gardeners, for gardeners. Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books and speaking for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. They publish three articles every week, 52 weeks a year. Sign up today to follow via email, or follow along!