November is the perfect time to get your California garden ready for the cooler months ahead. Pruning now helps your plants stay healthy, encourages better growth in spring, and keeps your yard looking neat through winter.
Whether you’re tending roses or fruit trees, a little trimming this month can make a big difference in your garden’s success next year.
1. Rose Bushes
Roses thrive when you give them a good trim before winter sets in. California gardeners know that November is ideal for cutting back leggy stems and removing dead or diseased wood.
This helps your roses focus energy on their roots during the dormant season. Trim about one-third of the plant’s height, making clean cuts just above outward-facing buds.
Your roses will reward you with gorgeous blooms come springtime, fuller and healthier than ever before.
2. Fruit Trees
Many fruit trees benefit from a November haircut, especially apples, pears, and stone fruits. Removing crossing branches and water sprouts now prevents disease and improves air circulation through the canopy.
In California’s mild climate, pruning during dormancy encourages stronger spring growth and better fruit production. Focus on shaping the tree and eliminating weak or damaged limbs.
Just avoid heavy pruning on citrus trees this month—they prefer a different schedule altogether.
3. Lavender
Lavender gets woody and scraggly if you skip the yearly trim. November offers California gardeners a great window to shape these aromatic beauties after their blooming season ends.
Cut back about one-third of the plant, removing spent flower stalks and encouraging bushier growth. Avoid cutting into the old woody stems, as lavender struggles to sprout from bare wood.
Regular pruning keeps your plants compact, fragrant, and ready to burst with purple blooms when warm weather returns.
4. Hydrangeas
Not all hydrangeas need November pruning, but certain varieties do benefit from a light cleanup. California gardeners should focus on removing dead flower heads and thinning out weak or damaged stems.
Bigleaf and oakleaf hydrangeas set buds in fall, so go easy on them—just tidy up without cutting off next year’s flowers. Smooth and panicle types can handle more aggressive trimming.
Knowing your hydrangea type makes all the difference in getting spectacular summer blooms.
5. Grapevines
Grapevines turn into tangled messes without annual pruning, and November is prime time in California. Once leaves drop and vines go dormant, cut back last season’s growth to just a few buds per cane.
This might seem drastic, but grapes fruit on new wood, so aggressive pruning actually boosts your harvest. Remove weak, diseased, or crossing canes to keep the vine manageable and productive.
A well-pruned grapevine rewards you with juicy clusters come summer harvest time.
6. Salvia
Salvia plants can look tired and overgrown by late fall, making November the perfect time for a refresh. California native varieties especially appreciate a good trim to remove spent blooms and leggy stems.
Cut back about half the plant’s height to encourage dense, bushy growth and prevent woody centers. This simple step keeps salvias looking fresh and promotes healthier flowering next season.
Plus, hummingbirds will thank you when your salvias burst back with nectar-rich blooms in spring.
7. Fuchsias
Fuchsias bring stunning color to shady California gardens, but they need November pruning to stay in top shape. After blooming slows down, trim back about one-third of the plant to remove leggy growth and encourage branching.
Remove any dead or frost-damaged stems, especially if you’re in a cooler inland area. This pruning helps fuchsias maintain their graceful form and prepares them for vigorous spring growth.
Come warmer months, your fuchsias will dangle with gorgeous jewel-toned flowers once again.
8. Oleander
Oleanders grow fast and can quickly outgrow their space in California gardens. November pruning helps control their size and shape while removing any dead or damaged branches.
Cut back up to one-third of the plant if needed, focusing on older woody stems to encourage fresh growth. Always wear gloves when pruning oleanders, as all parts of the plant are toxic.
Proper pruning keeps these tough, drought-tolerant shrubs looking neat and blooming beautifully throughout the warmer seasons ahead.
9. Wisteria
Wisteria vines are famous for their cascading purple blooms, but they need regular pruning to perform their best. November is the second pruning session for California gardeners—cut back summer growth to just a few buds per stem.
This winter pruning encourages more flower buds and keeps the vine from taking over your entire garden. Remove tangled or wayward shoots to maintain the structure you want.
With consistent pruning, your wisteria will put on a breathtaking floral show each spring.