Fall or Winter Shrub Pruning - Ask Extension
Could you tell me whether the following shrubs should be pruned in fall or late winter? Blue Muffin Arrowwood Viburnum, Bailey Compact American Cranbe...
Knowledgebase
Fall or Winter Shrub Pruning #890192
Asked November 22, 2024, 4:52 PM EST
Could you tell me whether the following shrubs should be pruned in fall or late winter? Blue Muffin Arrowwood Viburnum, Bailey Compact American Cranberry bush, Hydrangea Pan Pink Diamond Tree, Emerald Carousel Barberry, Dogwood Pagoda Clump (very overgrown), Variegated Dogwood shrubs, Panicle Hydrangea shrubs, Ninebark shrubs, Russian Sage Shrubs, Matrona Rose Sedum, Forsythia and Magic Carpet Spirea. Many people in my neighborhood trim some of these same shrubs in the fall but the internet seems to indicate it should be late winter/early spring. I'm confused and want to do what is best for the health of the shrubs. Thank you.
Jan Cole
Kandiyohi County Minnesota
Expert Response
Most of these shrubs are best pruned in late winter. Some shrubs, such as lilacs, are best pruned after flowering, Pruning often isn't necessary, particularly with perennials such as sedum. For detailed information on when and how to prune the plants you list, see
https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/winter-good-time-prune-trees-and-shrubs
and
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/pruning-trees-and-shrubs
https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/winter-good-time-prune-trees-and-shrubs
and
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/pruning-trees-and-shrubs
