Some plants love a good trim in spring, and giving them a little haircut now can mean bigger blooms and healthier growth later. I’ve learned the hard way that skipping pruning can lead to a messy, overgrown garden—not exactly the look I was going for!
The good news is, it’s easier than you think, and a few quick snips can make all the difference. Whether it’s shaping up shrubs or cutting back perennials, knowing what to trim (and how) sets your garden up for success.
Let’s get those plants in top shape for a gorgeous growing season!
1. Lilacs
Pruning lilacs is essential for healthy growth and a beautiful bloom. Start by trimming away dead or damaged branches right after the flowers fade to avoid cutting next year’s buds.
Thin out the center to improve airflow, then tidy up any long or spindly branches. Regular trimming helps your lilacs thrive, ensuring a lush, fragrant display year after year.
2. Forsythia
Want your forsythia to shine with vibrant blooms year after year? Pruning is the key! Right after it finishes flowering, cut back one-third of the older branches to make space for fresh growth. Trim any crossing branches to avoid damage, and shape it by trimming the sides and top for that perfect rounded form.
With regular pruning, your forsythia will stay neat, lively, and bursting with bright yellow flowers every spring! Just stay on top of its growth and adjust your trimming to keep it thriving in your garden.
3. Butterfly Bush
A good trim keeps your butterfly bush looking fresh and thriving! Prune it hard in early spring, cutting back to about 6-12 inches above the ground before new growth starts. Be sure to remove any dead or damaged branches, which helps boost vigorous growth and a burst of blooms.
This hardy plant attracts pollinators with its rich, vibrant flowers, becoming a favorite in your garden. Regular pruning rejuvenates its look, giving it a fuller, more robust shape.
4. Lavender
After lavender finishes blooming, give it a trim to keep it looking compact and fragrant. Cut back about one-third of the plant, but avoid cutting into the woody base.
Remove any dead or damaged stems, as this will help the plant grow stronger. This keeps your lavender bush full of fresh blooms next season. A little pruning goes a long way to maintaining its beautiful shape and scent.
5. Spirea
Trim spirea in early spring before new growth starts to maintain its vibrant appearance. Begin by cutting away any dead or damaged branches.
Thin out the plant’s center to improve airflow and sunlight penetration. Shape the sides for a more rounded look, keeping it neat and compact. Regular trimming will help keep your spirea thriving.
6. Roses
Prune roses after the first frost to encourage strong, healthy growth. Start by removing dead or diseased canes, then cut back healthy canes by about one-third.
Make clean cuts at a 45-degree angle to promote healing. Trim any crossing branches that could cause rubbing, ensuring a well-shaped bush. Pruning will lead to more vibrant blooms next season.
7. Hydrangeas (Depending on Variety)
Hydrangeas need careful pruning to get the best blooms. For those that flower on old wood, prune after blooming to avoid cutting next year’s buds.
For varieties that bloom on new growth, prune back in spring. Remove dead flowers and any old wood to encourage new growth. This ensures your hydrangeas have strong blooms year after year.
8. Snowball Bush
Once the flowers on your snowball bush have faded, it’s time to trim back the spent blooms. Removing the old flowers and cutting back dead or damaged branches will help the plant maintain its health and form.
Thinning out the center also ensures better airflow and prevents the plant from becoming too dense. A light prune will keep your snowball bush full and looking vibrant, ready for the next bloom cycle.
9. Jasmine
When the jasmine finishes its bloom, a little bit of pruning will go a long way. Cutting back any dead vines and removing long, unruly branches helps keep the plant compact and in good shape.
Not only will this keep your jasmine looking neat, but it will also encourage new, fresh growth. Plus, a little maintenance now means even more flowers next season.
10. Boxwood
To keep your boxwood dense and well-shaped, pruning is a must. It’s best to prune it early in spring, just before the new growth starts.
Trim the outer branches lightly to maintain its desired shape, and don’t forget to remove any dead or damaged wood. Keep the cuts even to preserve its symmetrical form. A little pruning now ensures your boxwood stays neat and healthy.
11. Azalea
Pruning azaleas right after they bloom ensures they stay vibrant and produce even more flowers next year. Begin by cutting back spent blooms and dead wood.
Trim away any leggy branches to keep the plant looking neat, but avoid cutting into old wood—it could reduce next season’s blooms. With the right care, your azalea will continue to thrive with abundant flowers.
12. Clematis
Clematis can get wild if left unchecked, but pruning helps it grow healthier and bloom more. Depending on whether it blooms on old or new wood, cut back accordingly.
After flowering for old wood varieties or in early spring for new growth types—cutting back helps it stay strong and produce vibrant flowers!
13. Wisteria
Is your wisteria growing a bit too wild? A good trim in summer will keep those long vines in check.
Then, give it another cut in winter to encourage better blooms next year. Keeping it tidy promotes healthy growth and stunning flowers!
14. Hydrangea (Paniculata)
Hydrangea paniculata benefits from a spring pruning to keep it healthy and strong. Hydrangea should be cut back to about 12-18 inches above the ground before new growth starts.
Removing dead or damaged wood promotes fresh, vibrant growth. A good spring prune will lead to bigger, brighter blooms later in the season. It’s the perfect time to shape it for optimal health.
15. Weigela
A little spring pruning goes a long way for Weigela, encouraging more blooms. Weigela should be pruned after flowering by removing dead wood and cutting back any long or leggy branches.
This helps keep the plant dense and bushy. A spring trim encourages more flowers and healthier growth. Regular pruning ensures a full and vibrant weigela all season.
16. Pieris
To maintain Pieris’ vibrant look, a spring prune is key. Pieris should be pruned just before new growth appears in early spring.
Remove any dead or damaged stems to promote fresh growth. Trim any overgrown parts to maintain its shape and size. Regular pruning ensures a neat, healthy plant with more flowers.
17. Nandina
Nothing beats a good trim to keep Nandina looking neat and healthy. Start by cutting away any dead or damaged branches.
Thin out the plant’s interior to allow for better airflow and sunlight. Next, trim back the long, leggy branches to maintain a tidy, compact form. This helps Nandina stay vibrant and well-maintained all season.
18. Lavender (French)
After blooming, French lavender benefits from a little pruning to keep it compact and vibrant. Trim the stems back by about one-third, avoiding the woody base.
This encourages fresh growth while removing dead or damaged stems. Be sure to give it this seasonal trim to maintain its lush appearance for the next season. It’s the perfect way to help lavender thrive year-round.
19. Rosemary
If your rosemary is looking leggy, a good prune will restore its compact shape. Remove any dead or damaged stems, and trim the rest by about a third.
This helps keep it dense and encourages healthy, fragrant new growth. Pruning rosemary in the spring ensures a fresh start for the season and a healthy crop of leaves. A little care goes a long way for this herb.
20. Fuchsia
A trim in early spring keeps fuchsia blooming beautifully and in shape. Start by cutting back any leggy, overgrown stems and removing dead or damaged branches. This will help it grow bushier and produce more vibrant flowers.
Shape the plant to keep it compact and full, and you’ll be rewarded with a profusion of blooms. A spring prune is all it takes to keep fuchsia looking fabulous.
21. Camellia
Once Camellia finishes flowering, it’s the perfect time for a quick prune to keep it tidy. Remove any dead or damaged branches to promote fresh growth.
Trim overly long stems to maintain a balanced shape, but avoid cutting into older wood. This ensures Camellia will bloom beautifully next season. A gentle spring prune is all it needs to stay vibrant and healthy.
22. Mandevilla
Mandevilla can really take off with a little attention in early spring. Trim away any dead or damaged stems to help the plant thrive. Shaping it now encourages new growth and keeps it full and bushy.
A regular trim ensures that Mandevilla grows strong and vibrant throughout the season. This plant loves a spring prune to help it shine.
23. Salvia
For more flowers and a compact form, Salvia thrives with a timely prune. Remove any dead or damaged stems early in the spring to give it a fresh start.
Trim the plant to maintain a compact shape and promote new growth. This helps ensure Salvia continues to bloom throughout the season. With regular pruning, it stays healthy and vibrant.
24. Coral Bells
Coral bells look their best when pruned in early spring. Begin by removing any dead or damaged foliage. Trim back overgrown areas to maintain a neat, tidy shape.
This simple pruning will encourage fresh, healthy growth and vibrant flowers. With just a little care, your coral bells will stay beautiful and full of life.
25. Hosta
Hostas flourish when you remove old or damaged leaves in late spring. Trim away any yellowing or worn-out foliage once the new leaves have fully emerged.
This keeps your Hostas looking vibrant and healthy. Cutting back overgrown stems will also help shape the plant, ensuring a clean and tidy appearance. A little spring pruning helps hostas thrive all season.
26. Astilbe
Astilbe loves a fresh start every spring, and a quick prune is just the thing. Cut back any dead or damaged stems to make room for new shoots.
Prune away old growth to encourage fresh, vibrant flowers. This simple step will help the plant grow strong and produce an impressive display of blooms. It’s a great way to give Astilbe the boost it needs for the season.
27. Daylilies
After daylilies finish blooming, a little pruning will keep them looking neat. Cut back spent flowers and leaves to maintain a tidy appearance.
Trimming the remaining foliage helps the plant stay healthy and sets it up for more blooms next season. This quick prune also encourages fresh growth for a vibrant display. Regular trimming keeps daylilies looking their best.
28. Peonies
Peonies benefit from a light prune to ensure healthy blooms. Start by removing any dead or damaged stems in early spring.
Trim back old foliage from the previous season to make room for new shoots. This helps the plant direct its energy into fresh growth and vibrant flowers. A little care in spring ensures peonies look stunning all season.
29. Heliotrope
Heliotrope loves a spring trim to keep it compact and encourage more blooms. Cut back any dead or damaged stems early in the season to promote new growth.
Shape the plant to keep it looking neat and bushy, ensuring a full bloom. This simple prune helps the plant thrive and rewards you with more flowers. Heliotrope will be healthier and more vibrant after a good trim.
30. Bleeding Heart
Bleeding heart requires a little spring care to stay looking fresh and vibrant. Start by removing any dead or damaged leaves and stems in late spring.
This helps the plant focus its energy on new, healthy growth. Trim it back to maintain a neat appearance, ensuring it stays tidy all season. With regular pruning, bleeding heart continues to bloom beautifully year after year.