Spring Pruning Guide: What to Prune Now (and What to Leave Alone)

Spring pruning can make plants healthier and more productive—but timing matters. The big risk is accidentally pruning off this year’s flowers.

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The two rules that prevent most mistakes

1) Dead, damaged, or diseased wood can go anytime.

2) If a shrub blooms early in spring, it often blooms on old wood—wait until after it flowers.

What you can usually prune in early spring

• Dead wood on any plant
• Ornamental grasses (before new growth is tall)
• Many roses (remove dead/crossing canes; shape lightly)

Tool hygiene (quick but important)

• Make clean cuts.
• Wipe blades if you’re cutting anything suspicious.

Recommended gear (affiliate)

• Bypass pruning shears

- Bypass pruning shears (Amazon link)

• Garden loppers

- Garden loppers (Amazon link)

• Pruner sharpener

- Pruner sharpener (Amazon link)

FAQ

How do I know if wood is dead? Scratch test: green = alive; brown/dry = dead.