Pruning is one of those tasks that sounds simple until you’re holding the shears. Then the questions creep in. Am I cutting too much? Too little? Did I just ruin that shrub? Spring arrives with green energy and new growth, but without thoughtful pruning, your plants might race ahead without direction—thin, leggy, or worse, tangled in their own confusion.
But here’s the truth: cutting back is what allows plants to grow forward.
Pruning isn’t damage—it’s direction
Think of pruning like editing. You’re not harming the story—you’re sharpening it. Plants don’t just survive a good trim; they thrive because of it. That burst of new growth? It’s not random. It’s strategic—directed by where you cut, how deeply, and when.
Spring is the reset button. Winter has stripped things down. Now, your cuts decide what gets to flourish.
But not all cuts are equal
Let’s clear something up: pruning is not shearing. This isn’t hedge art. It’s a conversation with the plant’s internal wiring. Each snip sends a signal—“Focus your energy here. Stop wasting it there.”
So where do you start?
- Remove the dead – If a branch snaps easily or has no green when scratched, it’s done.
- Thin crowded growth – Airflow matters. Especially for plants prone to mildew or rot.
- Shape with intention – Cut just above outward-facing buds to promote an open, full structure.
- Avoid flush cuts – Always leave a slight collar. That’s where healing begins.
- Step back often – Every few cuts, pause. Look at the whole shape. Prune with vision, not just scissors.
This isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being purposeful.
Timing isn’t everything, but it helps
Not all plants want to be touched in early spring. Some, like lilacs and hydrangeas, bloom on old wood. Cut them now and you’ve trimmed away this year’s flowers. Others—like roses, dogwoods, and crepe myrtles—need a spring cut to show their best.
If you’re unsure, ask: Does it flower in early spring? If yes, wait. If no, sharpen those blades.
The right tools change everything
A rusty pair of hand-me-down shears can do more harm than help. Jagged cuts don’t heal well. Dirty blades spread disease. Invest in a clean, sharp bypass pruner, and respect the angle of the cut like you’re carving something delicate.
Because you are.
What grows back tells the real story
You won’t see results overnight. But give it a few weeks, and the reward appears—lush, vibrant regrowth with better structure and less mess. A plant that’s not just growing, but growing well.
That’s the real magic of spring pruning.
Not just cutting for the sake of it—but cutting with the confidence that sometimes… Less really is more. Especially when what you’re making room for is better than what you removed.
