PLANTS TO PRUNE IN WINTER

Believe it or not, winter is a good time to prune many types of shrubs and vines.   The general rule is "plants that bloom in summer are pruned in winter."  Conversely, if the shrub, vine or plant blooms in spring, it must be pruned in summer.  When pruning, you need to think about what you want to accomplish:  

1. Do you need to improve your plant's  form?
2. Do you want to increase it's flowering?
3. Do you need to control it's size?
4. Does it need to be rejuvenated?

All are good reasons to prune, but wait until late winter to do your pruning.  There are a few important things to remember when pruning: 

• Make cuts  just above a bud or shoot. 
• Make sure you keep the natural shape of the plant.
• Cut off dead or damaged stems at ground level 

Here's a partial list of plants that do well with a prune in winter:

• Clematis (some varieties, check out your cultivar)
• Climbing hydrangea
• Honeysuckle
• Silver Lace Vine
• Wisteria
• Spiraea
• Butterfly Bush
• Crape Myrtle
• Redtwig Dogwood
• Bittersweet