What to prune in spring? A plant-by-plant calendar

Spring pruning follows a simple rule: shrubs that flower in summer on the current year's growth (roses [Rosa], panicle hydrangea [Hydrangea paniculata], butterfly bush [Buddleja davidii], Group 3 clematis) are pruned in late winter or early spring, while those that flower in spring on the previous year's wood (forsythia, lilac, mock orange) are pruned just after flowering.

This guide applies that rule plant by plant, with the month and the technique, based on the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) and university extension services. Each row then links to the detailed pruning guide for the plant, as well as to our flowering shrubs.

🌟 Why prune in spring, and why not everything

Spring pruning encourages more flowers on plants that flower on the current year's growth, keeps them compact and removes winter dieback, but pruning at the wrong time removes the buds on spring-flowering shrubs.

For summer-flowering shrubs, the RHS guide to pruning summer-flowering shrubs recommends pruning as early as possible in spring, giving young shoots the longest possible growing season.

By contrast, according to Penn State Extension, shrubs that flower before mid-June form their buds the previous year: if pruned too early, they lose their flowers.

📊 What to prune in spring and when: the plant-by-plant table

Plants to prune in spring mainly include roses, hydrangeas, butterfly bush, Russian sage, Group 3 clematis and ornamental grasses, each at a specific time between February and April, with its own pruning technique, which determines the following summer's flowering. The timings and techniques are from the RHS unless otherwise noted, and each name links to its detailed guide.

📋 Quick reference

General spring-pruning guidelines, based on the RHS, Penn State Extension and NC State Extension.

🪏 How to prune in spring in 6 steps

To prune successfully in spring, first work out whether the plant flowers on the current year's wood or the previous year's wood, use clean, sharp tools, remove dead wood first, then cut just above a bud without removing more than one-third of the plant.

According to NC State Extension, cut above a vigorous bud pointing in the desired direction of growth, without leaving a stub; the RHS specifies no more than 5 mm above the bud, with an angled cut sloping away from it.

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🧭 Plants not to prune in spring

Plants not to prune in spring are those that flower early on the previous year's wood: forsythia, lilac, mock orange, deutzia, weigela, flowering currant, Group 1 clematis and most early-flowering evergreens.

The RHS guide to pruning early-flowering shrubs says to prune them immediately after flowering, giving them as much time as possible to produce the wood that will flower the following year.

The RHS pruning groups place mock orange, forsythia and weigela in Group 2; the RHS profile for Deutzia gracilis also classifies it in Group 2 (H5, -15 to -10°C).

📐 When to prune roses in spring

Bush roses are pruned in late winter, when growth resumes: around mid-February in mild climates and in March in colder regions, according to the RHS guidelines for the UK. Hybrid teas are cut back hard, to 4 to 6 buds and 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) above the ground for vigorous stems, and to 2 to 4 buds for weaker ones.

Climbing roses are pruned earlier, from December to February, by shortening the flowering side shoots by two-thirds. Rambling roses follow different rules, explained in our climbing rose guide.

For a step-by-step method, see how to prune roses in our complete rose guide, and browse our roses.

📐 When to prune hydrangeas: macrophylla, panicle and 'Annabelle'

Hydrangeas are pruned in spring, but the approach varies by species: mophead hydrangeas need only light pruning, while panicle hydrangeas and 'Annabelle' can be cut back harder. For mophead hydrangeas, the RHS recommends leaving the spent flowers on over winter to protect the buds below from frost, then cutting in early spring just above the first pair of healthy buds.

Panicle hydrangeas and 'Annabelle' flower on the current year's growth: in late winter or early spring (February to March), cut last year's stems back to a pair of healthy buds. For large flowers on strong stems, the RHS recommends cutting back to the lowest pair, leaving a framework no more than 25 cm (10 in) high, or around 60 cm (24 in) to retain height.

For details on pruning hydrangeas, see our complete guide and the guides to mophead hydrangeas, panicle hydrangeas and 'Annabelle' hydrangeas.

For container growing, see our guide to hydrangeas in pots.

📐 Clematis and wisteria: climbers to prune at the right time

Clematis are pruned according to their group: group 3 hard in February, group 2 lightly in February and again after the first flush of flowers, and group 1 only after its spring flowering. For group 2, which includes the large-flowered clematis that bloom in May and June, the RHS cuts the spent stem just above a large bud below the flower.

Our clematis guide to the 3 pruning groups will help you identify your variety's group, among our clematis.

Wisteria, on the other hand, is pruned twice a year: in July or August, cut the long green shoots of the current year back to 5 or 6 leaves, then in January or February to 2 or 3 buds, 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) from the old wood, according to the RHS. Find the details in our wisteria guide.

📐 Lavender, rosemary, perennials and grasses: light pruning

Lavender and rosemary should not be pruned hard in spring: the RHS recommends pruning lavender every year in late summer, just after flowering, and lightly pruning rosemary after it flowers, never cutting into old wood. In spring, lavender only needs tidying if it has been damaged by frost. According to the RHS, unpruned rosemary becomes bare at the base.

For the exact technique, see our lavender guide and our rosemary guide.

Perennials can be cut back from March onward, according to the RHS guide to cutting back perennials, which notes that their dry stems provide wildlife with shelter over winter. For tender perennials with woody stems, such as penstemon, wait until the risk of frost has passed, usually in April or May.

For grasses, cut deciduous species back close to the ground before new shoots appear: Miscanthus from mid-March to April and Pennisetum orientale towards the end of April. Also see our ornamental grasses and our border perennials.

🗓️ What to prune in March, April and May

In March, prune roses in colder regions, cut back perennials and start on ornamental grasses; in April, turn to buddleia, perovskia and evergreens; in May, prune spring-flowering shrubs as they finish flowering. February is the time for clematis and wisteria: see what to prune in winter.

For other tasks, follow our March, April and May garden calendar, and for planting, see our guide to what to plant in spring.

📅 Seasonal care calendar

🐛 Spring pruning mistakes to avoid

Spring pruning mistakes are mostly down to poor timing: pruning a shrub in March when it flowers in April, or cutting back too hard a plant that won't regrow from old wood. Here are the most common ones.

🌿 Plants to prune in spring and their guides

This guide tells you when to prune; each plant guide explains the technique step by step.

🔑 Hedges and nesting: what changes in spring

In spring, hedge trimming takes a pause: OFB recommends not trimming hedges from March 15 to July 31, to avoid disturbing birds during breeding and nesting season.

According to the OFB statement shared by the Pays de la Loire Chamber of Agriculture, this also applies to private individuals.

We explain the timing, method and considerations for evergreens in our hedge-pruning guide, so you can find out when to trim a hedge without harming birds.

✅ Our tips for successful spring pruning

For successful spring pruning, prune summer-flowering plants from February to April, keep your pruning shears away from spring-flowering shrubs until they have finished flowering, and make each clean cut just above a bud.

Browse our outdoor flowering plants and all our flowering shrubs to create a garden that blooms from one season to the next.