Winter pruning can feel intimidating. With bare branches and dormant plants, it’s easy to worry about cutting the wrong thing at the wrong time. The truth is, winter can be an excellent time to prune, as long as you know which plants benefit from it and which are better left alone until spring.
At Fran’s Flowers, winter is a season for thoughtful care, planning, and setting gardens up for long-term success.
Why Winter Pruning Can Be Helpful
During winter dormancy, many trees and shrubs have slowed or stopped active growth. This makes their structure easier to see and reduces stress caused by pruning. With fewer leaves, it’s simpler to identify dead, damaged, or crossing branches and make clean, intentional cuts.
Pruning at the right time also helps direct energy toward healthy growth once spring arrives.
What You Can Prune in Winter
Some plants respond very well to winter pruning in New England conditions.
Deciduous trees and shrubs benefit from removing dead, broken, or diseased branches during winter. This improves air flow and structure while reducing the risk of pests and disease. Many shade trees, ornamental trees, and non-flowering shrubs fall into this category.
Summer-blooming shrubs can also be pruned in winter. Plants that flower on new growth, such as certain hydrangeas and spireas, often bloom better when pruned during dormancy.
Removing damaged branches after heavy snow or ice is also appropriate during winter, especially if safety is a concern.
What Should Wait Until Spring
Not everything should be pruned during winter, and this is where many mistakes happen.
Spring-flowering shrubs like lilacs, forsythia, and azaleas form their flower buds the previous year. Pruning them in winter removes those buds, resulting in fewer or no blooms. These plants are best pruned right after flowering in spring.
Evergreens typically require minimal pruning and are best left alone during winter unless there is clear damage. Heavy pruning during cold months can stress the plant and lead to browning.
Young or newly planted shrubs should also be pruned lightly, if at all, during their first winter to allow them to establish strong roots.
Simple Winter Pruning Tips
Always use clean, sharp tools to make precise cuts and reduce the risk of disease. Avoid pruning during extreme cold, as brittle branches are more likely to crack or split. When in doubt, less is more. It’s easier to make additional cuts later than to undo a heavy prune.
Winter is also a great time to step back and evaluate plant shape and spacing without rushing.
Confidence Comes From Knowing When to Wait
One of the most important parts of winter pruning is knowing when not to prune. Leaving certain plants alone protects spring blooms and prevents unnecessary stress. A thoughtful approach leads to stronger plants and better results when the growing season returns.
Located at 1 Worcester Road in Framingham, Massachusetts, between Kohl’s and Route 9, Fran’s Flowers is currently closed for the winter season and will reopen in Spring 2026. While the greenhouse rests, winter is an ideal time to learn, plan, and build confidence for the season ahead. The team looks forward to welcoming gardeners back in spring with expert guidance and support for every stage of garden care.