March is for Pruning & [Some] Prepping

A sunny, late winter day is the perfect time to prune shrubs and trees. But which ones exactly, here’s your guide. Let’s start with the summer-blooming shrubs which form flower buds on new wood or new growth, such as Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii), Bluebeard (Caryopteris), summer- or fall-blooming Clematis, Smooth Hydrangeas (arborescens), Panicle (Peegee) Hydrangeas, Roses, Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) Red & Yellow Twig Dogwoods (Cornus, spp.), Japanese Spirea, and St. Johnswort (Hypericum prolificum) to name a few. Spring-blooming shrubs get pruned right after they bloom in early summer, so now is not the time to prune them. Spring-blooming shrubs include Forsythia, Lilac, Beautybush (not to be confused with Beautyberry), Big Leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), Oakleaf Hydrangea (H. quercifolia) and Climbing Hydrangeas (H. anomala subsp. petiolaris), as well as Azaleas, Cotoneaster, Deutzia, Ninebark, Rhododendron, Viburnum, Weigela, and Witchhazel.

Late winter is also a good time to prune fruit trees and berry bushes.

Importantly, before doing any pruning, spend some time cleaning your garden tools and sharpening clippers. Now is also a good time to mend garden fences, organize your garden shed and get your seed-starting supplies in order.

Now however, is NOT a good time to rake leaf litter off of your garden beds, cut back ornamental grasses or mow down meadow fields. Beneficial insects, pollinators and other wildlife are still “in residence” and clearing these areas too early would disturb their overwintering habitats. Wait until danger of another hard freeze is past to rake out your beds and add compost.