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PLEASE NOTE: In the autumn of 1995, we hatched the idea for a free, local gardening publication. The following spring, we published the first issue of Michigan Gardener magazine. Advertisers, readers, and distribution sites embraced our vision. Thus began an exciting journey of helping our local gardening community grow and prosper.
After 27 years, nearly 200 issues published, and millions of copies printed, we have decided it is time to end the publication of our Print Magazine and E-Newsletter.

Dormant pruning: Make a positive start to your gardening season

March 18, 2025   •   

by Evelyn Koponen

As you look forward to a fresh gardening season, it is a good time to consider what you can do to improve the health and overall look of your landscape. A tree or shrub that is not maintaining the shape you desire, or has stopped producing as many flowers as it did in the past may need a good pruning. Trees and shrubs in dormancy can be pruned more aggressively, with less stress to the plant and minimal risk of disease because pests that would attack these trees and shrubs are dormant as well. An aggressive dormant pruning will promote more vigorous growth in the spring, which can bring new life and shape to a tired area of your garden.

To encourage and support you in your pruning ventures, here are some standard pruning guidelines for shrubs.

Step 1: Analyze

Be familiar with the plants that you are pruning. This seems obvious, but misidentification can happen—common names can be very similar and confusing, and different pruning forms may be needed on variations of the same plant type. Doing your own research on the best time of year to prune your particular shrub is important. For example, oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) and smooth hydrangea (H. arborescens) should not be pruned at the same time. Oakleaf hydrangea flowers on old wood, so pruning right after flowering is appropriate. Smooth hydrangea flowers on new wood, so cutting back severely in the late fall or early spring is ideal.

Make sure that you know your reason for pruning. Consider the whole of the plant, identify dead wood and potentially diseased areas that need to be removed, and plan how you want the end shape of the plant to be. Healthy, corrective shaping of a shrub or tree can take several years, so be patient with your plant and with yourself.

Step 2: Tools

For pruning most shrubs, a few simple tools wil

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