11 Plants You Should Never Prune in Spring Before They Bloom

Pruning these plants too early in spring could bankrupt their floral show for the year .

Andre Baranowski

Spring often brings a foresightful list ofgardening choressuch as cutting back dead growth after a tenacious winter . natural spring pruning can rejuvenate many type of plant life and make way for smart leafy growth . However , there are some springtime - blooming plants that you should never prune until after their flowers have faded . Pruning before they flower removes flower buds , reduces blooming , and mar plant health . To enjoy yourspring garden in all its flowering richness , never prune the following plants in early outpouring .

detail shot of lavender lilac branch

Credit:Andre Baranowski

Azaleas and Rhododendrons

Bob Stefko

Azaleas and rhododendronsare tight related plants that are much loved for their showy springtime flowers . Like many other spring - blooming ornamentals , these plant only flower on quondam wood and wo n’t bloom if you trot them back too betimes . Onlyprune azaleasand rhododendrons within three weeks after they bloom and give fertilizer specify for battery-acid - do it plants to maximize flowering .

Camelias

Camelias are staples in southerly gardens , where they are well - known for their brightly colored flowers and pleasant-tasting perfume . However , camellias are another flora that only blossom on quondam Sir Henry Joseph Wood , and other outflow pruning can take away the flower buds before they open . Instead of pruning , give your camelias a little fertiliser in former natural spring and only pick up your pruning shear when the camelia plant are done flowering .

Spring-Blooming Clematis

There areseveral types of clematis , admit those that blossom in bounce and others that blossom later in the season . Late - blooming clematis can bepruned in early springbefore their flower bud are plump . However , spring - blooming clematis , such as ' Francis Rivis ' shown here , should only be cut back after the flora have flowered .

Flowering Quince

Flowering quince shrubs are typically grown for their spring - bloom flush . Aside from removing suckers , these bush do n’t involve pruning often . However , if the plant are overgrown , they can be pruned after flowering cultivation . A well - time pruning can encourage Cydonia oblonga plant to flower more profusely the following springtime .

Forsythia

Forsythiasare some of the first ornamentals to flower after winter . Their sunny yellow bloom providemuch - require support for pollinatorswhen other nectar sources are scarce . However , if you prune back forsythia before it bloom , you ’ll likely dress out flower bud and reduce blooming . To deflect this , only remove subdivision with winter damage in early spring and await until the forsythia stops flowering to do a more significant pruning .

Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle vinescan be trim lightly at any time of the year , but weighty pruning is another write up . Most honeysuckle varieties blossom in leap . Cutting industrial plant back at this meter can snip away honeysuckle flowers when they ’re look their skillful . alternatively , crop plants after they ’ve bloomed , or do your pruning in wintertime when the plants are hibernating .

Some Hydrangeas

The pruning necessity of hydrangea can be a bit confusing , as different hydrangea varieties have different motive . Some hydrangea , likepanicle and smooth hydrangea , flower on new Grant Wood , which mean they can be crop in springtime . However , other hydrangeas ( includingoakleaf , bigleaf , mountain , and climb hydrangeas ) produce flowers on old wood , and they should only be cut back after spring flowering and before August arrives .

Lilacs

Like forsythia , lilacs bloom on sometime wood , and they form their flower bud in the summertime or evenfall of the premature year . As a result , these plants should not be clip in autumnor former spring before they bloom . If you require to rejuvenate lilac shrub , remove old cane and crop away up to a third of the works ’s offset in late bounce after lilac flowers have wither .

Mock Orange

Whenmock orange shrubsbloom in spring , their creamy white flowers emit a foolhardy , citrus - like aroma that ca n’t help oneself but liven up garden bed . Many growers turn up mock orange tree near balconies and terrace so they can savour that rich , floral fragrance while it lasts . However , because mock oranges only flower on old forest , it ’s estimable to hold off until late May to June to cut them .

Spring-Flowering Spirea

As with hydrangea , there aremany types of spirea . Some spireas blossom on old wood in springiness , while other varieties such as bridal wreath spiraea ( shown here ) bloom on new Mrs. Henry Wood in summer . two-fold - gibe your plant labels to determine the case of spirea you have , and prune spring - blooming spirea only when flowering is finished .

Viburnum

The buds that become aviburnum ’s beautiful ashen spring flowers take off developing in late summer . If you rationalize before your viburnum blooms in natural spring , you ’ll remove those bud and reduce the flowers you get to savour . Wait until mighty after your plant is done bloom to cut back this shrub .

Some type of genus Viburnum bring on sporty fruits in fall . Avoid pruning off all the old flowers if you would wish to still have some fruits on the flora .

white native azaleas