When Should Shrubs Be Trimmed or Cut Back?

Shrubs are essential to your landscape’s beauty, privacy, and structure—but without proper pruning, they can become overgrown, messy, or even unhealthy. That’s why knowing when to trim or cut back shrubs is just as important as knowing how.

Pruning at the wrong time can harm your plants or limit next season’s blooms. But pruning at the right time? It keeps shrubs healthy, encourages strong growth, and boosts curb appeal.

Here’s a seasonal guide to help you get the timing right.

Spring-Blooming Shrubs: Trim After They Flower

Shrubs like lilacs, forsythia, azaleas, rhododendrons, and spirea bloom in spring and set their buds during the previous summer.

Best Time to Trim: Right after they finish blooming (late spring to early summer)

Why: If you trim too early (in late winter or early spring), you’ll cut off the flower buds and lose the seasonal show.

Summer-Blooming Shrubs: Trim in Late Winter or Early Spring

Shrubs that bloom in summer—like butterfly bush, crape myrtle, hydrangea paniculata, and Rose of Sharon—bloom on new growth.

Best Time to Trim: Late winter to early spring before new growth begins

Why: Pruning early stimulates fresh shoots and larger, more vibrant blooms.

Evergreen Shrubs: Trim Lightly in Late Spring or Early Fall

Shrubs like boxwood, holly, yew, and arborvitae grow slowly and benefit from light, regular shaping.

Best Time to Trim: Late spring or early fall (avoid peak heat and frost seasons)

Why: Pruning during dormancy or extreme weather can stress evergreens and slow recovery.

Fast-Growing or Informal Shrubs: Prune as Needed

Shrubs used for privacy or hedging—like privet, viburnum, or ligustrum—can be pruned more frequently.

Best Time to Trim: Every few months during the growing season, but avoid excessive pruning in late fall

Why: Regular shaping keeps fast growers from becoming unruly, but you don’t want to encourage tender new growth right before winter.

When NOT to Trim Shrubs

• Late Fall: Pruning stimulates new growth that may not survive freezing temperatures.
  
• During Flower Bud Formation: Cutting at this stage may remove next season’s blooms.
  
• In Extreme Heat or Drought: Trimming can stress shrubs when they’re already struggling.
  

Signs It’s Time to Trim (Regardless of Season)

• Branches are dead, diseased, or damaged
  
• Shrub is blocking a window, sidewalk, or driveway
  
• Shape is uneven or overgrown
  
• You see signs of pests or lack of airflow inside the plant
  
• Bloom performance is declining year after year
  

Final Thoughts

Pruning doesn’t just control shape—it encourages stronger growth, reduces disease risk, and helps shrubs thrive. The key is to time it right based on the shrub’s type and bloom cycle.

Not sure what kind of shrubs you have or when to prune them? That’s what we’re here for.

Need help trimming your shrubs the right way, at the right time?
Contact us today for professional shrub care, seasonal pruning, and landscape maintenance you can trust.