Plants You Should Always Prune in Winter

Because it blooms on new growth from spring through fall, abelia can be pruned in winter. The Southern Living Garden Book instructs, “To retain abelia's naturally graceful shape, use hand pruners to cut a few of the main stems to the ground each winter or early spring. This produces more of the vigorous, arching stems that create the plant's pleasing form. Do not shear.”

Learn more about abelia.

This eye-catching plant blooms on new growth, so it can be cut back, ideally to a foot tall, each winter. The Southern Living Garden Book advises gardeners to “remove a third of oldest stems, or lop whole plant low to ground. Plants may freeze to ground in Upper South, but they come back from roots.”

Learn more about beautyberry.

Most species of butterfly bush, or Buddleia, should be pruned according to the requirements of Buddleia davidii, or orange-eye butterfly bush. The Southern Living Garden Book instructs gardeners to “cut back plants heavily (nearly to the ground) in late winter to early spring to promote strong new growth for good flowering.”

Learn more about butterfly bush.

This pretty plant should be pruned in late winter to ensure that it stays compact. Attentive pruning at this time of year will help control the growth of the plant and keep the planting from getting too large in the garden.

Learn more about plumbago.

The Grumpy Gardener says, “Late winter (right now) is the best time to prune a crepe myrtle because it's leafless and you can easily see all of the branches. It also blooms on new growth, so pruning now won't reduce blooming. In fact, it may increase it.” But don’t murder it! Grumpy wants you to promise that you won’t commit crepe murder.

Learn more about crepe myrtles.

Because it blooms on new growth, gardenia can be pruned in winter or early summer before the blooming season begins. The Southern Living Garden Book recommends that gardeners “prune to remove straggly branches and faded flowers” to ensure it looks its best.

Learn more about gardenias.

These evergreen shrubs are frequented by butterflies and produce a rainbow of delicate blooms. The Southern Living Garden Book instructs, “Where they overwinter, prune back hard in early spring to remove dead wood and encourage vigorous new growth. Unpruned plants may become large, woody shrubs.”

Learn more about lantana.

Most roses should be pruned in winter, including knockout roses. The Grumpy Gardener says, “About the only time not to prune is late summer and early fall, as this might encourage late growth that wouldn't harden off in time for winter. In the North, winter is not a good time to prune, but winter is just fine in the South.”

Learn more about roses.

Both smooth and panicle hydrangeas (including Peegee) should be pruned in winter to take off any dead wood and spent blossoms. All others should be pruned in summer. Take care of your hydrangeas, and they’ll provide you with blooms for many seasons to come.

Learn more about hydrangeas.

The Grumpy Gardener says that because wisteria blooms on both old and new wood, if you prune every February, shortening each shoot to 6 to 8 buds, “spur-like branches will develop loaded with flower buds.” Careful pruning means gorgeous fragrant blooms come spring and summer. 

Learn more about wisteria.