As fall approaches, many gardeners feel the urge to tidy up their landscapes and prepare their plants for the cold months ahead.
Pruning seems like a necessary part of this process, helping plants survive the winter and encouraging new growth in the spring.
However, some shrubs actually fare better when left unpruned in the fall. In fact, cutting them back too early can do more harm than good.
Before you grab your pruning shears, take a look at these 10 shrubs you should leave alone this season!
Why You Shouldn’t Prune These Shrubs in Fall?
Pruning at the wrong time of year can do more than just reduce the number of flowers on your shrubs.
It can also make them more vulnerable to diseases and pests, especially as they head into the colder months.
Fall pruning can encourage new growth that doesn’t have time to harden off before the first frost, leaving your plants exposed to winter damage.
In addition, many of the shrubs listed here bloom on old wood, meaning they’ve already set their flower buds for next season.
Pruning them in the fall removes those buds, robbing you of the beautiful flowers you’d otherwise enjoy in the spring.
1. Lilacs (Syringa spp.)
Lilacs are a classic garden favorite known for their fragrant, beautiful flowers. If you prune them in the fall, you’ll be removing the buds that have already formed for next spring.
Lilacs bloom on old wood, meaning they set their buds in the previous growing season.
The best time to prune lilacs is immediately after they bloom in late spring or early summer. Pruning in the fall can reduce the number of flowers you’ll enjoy the following year, so it’s best to resist the urge to tidy them up before winter.
2. Forsythia (Forsythia spp.)
Forsythias are another shrub that blooms on old wood.
These vibrant yellow-flowering shrubs are one of the first signs of spring, and pruning them in the fall can eliminate their early-season beauty. Like lilacs, forsythias should be pruned right after they finish blooming.
Cutting them back in the fall can remove the buds that would otherwise bring color to your garden in the early months of spring.
3. Azaleas (Rhododendron spp.)
Azaleas are prized for their stunning spring blooms.
Pruning them in the fall can disrupt their natural blooming cycle since they also set their buds in the previous season.
To keep your azaleas thriving, prune them right after they flower in late spring or early summer. Fall pruning can lead to fewer blooms and a less impressive display the following spring.
4. Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla)
Not all hydrangeas are created equal when it comes to pruning, but for varieties like the bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), fall is the worst time to cut them back.
These hydrangeas bloom on old wood, and pruning in the fall will remove the flower buds that have already formed for next season.
If you must prune, wait until after they flower or simply clean up dead wood and old blooms without cutting into the stems.
5. Mock Orange (Philadelphus spp.)
Known for their citrus-scented blooms, mock orange shrubs are a spring-blooming delight.
Like other shrubs on this list, they set their buds on old wood, meaning fall pruning will remove next season’s flowers.
Prune them after they finish blooming in late spring or early summer to maintain their natural shape without sacrificing flowers.
6. Weigela (Weigela spp.)
Weigelas are another spring-blooming shrub that should not be pruned in the fall.
These hardy plants bloom on old wood, and fall pruning can eliminate the buds needed for a stunning spring display.
Instead, wait until after they flower to do any necessary pruning. Cutting them back in fall can lead to a lackluster appearance next spring.
7. Camellias (Camellia spp.)
Camellias are beloved for their large, showy flowers, which bloom in the cooler months. However, pruning in the fall can damage the buds that will bloom during the winter or early spring.
It’s best to prune camellias right after they finish blooming, whether that’s in early spring for the fall-blooming varieties or in summer for those that bloom earlier.
8. Ninebark (Physocarpus spp.)
Ninebark is a tough, deciduous shrub that offers colorful foliage and attractive peeling bark.
While it may seem like a good idea to clean it up before winter, fall pruning can remove next year’s flower buds. It’s better to wait until late spring to prune after flowering is complete.
Doing so will ensure the shrub remains healthy and full of blooms.
9. Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles spp.)
Flowering quince is a unique shrub that provides early spring flowers, often before the leaves emerge.
Pruning this shrub in the fall will remove next year’s flower buds, leaving you with fewer or no blooms.
To keep your flowering quince looking its best, prune it right after it flowers in the spring, allowing it time to set buds for the next season.
10. Viburnum (Viburnum spp.)
Viburnums are versatile shrubs that produce beautiful flowers and berries. However, pruning in the fall can reduce their ability to bloom the following year.
Viburnums set their buds on old wood, so fall pruning will remove those buds.
It’s better to wait until after they bloom in the spring to shape them and encourage healthy growth.
When Is the Right Time to Prune?
The ideal time to prune shrubs depends on the specific plant and its blooming cycle. For most spring-blooming shrubs, it’s best to prune them right after they finish flowering.
This gives them time to set new buds over the summer and fall, ensuring a healthy, colorful display the following spring.
By holding off on pruning until the right time, you’ll ensure that your garden stays healthy and vibrant year after year. So put down those shears, and enjoy the beauty of your shrubs as they prepare for the cooler months ahead!
