Spring is an ideal time to get your garden back into shape, but reaching for the pruning shears too quickly can do more harm than good. While some plants benefit from a spring trim, others should be left alone until after they have flowered—or until the right season for pruning arrives. 

Here are some plants you should think twice about pruning in spring. 

Spring-flowering shrubs

Shrubs that produce their flowers on old wood, meaning growth made during the previous season, generally should not be heavily pruned in early spring. 

If you prune these plants before they bloom, you may accidentally remove the flower buds that developed last year. Instead, wait until flowering has finished before carrying out significant pruning. 

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas require particular care because different types of flowers form on different types of wood. Some varieties bloom on old wood, while others flower on new growth. 

Before pruning, identify the variety you have. Cutting back an old-wood flowering hydrangea too aggressively in spring could mean losing many of this year’s flowers. 

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Camellias

These plants can put on an impressive display, and pruning them at the wrong time can reduce flowering. If your Camellia plants have already developed flower buds, avoid cutting back healthy branches simply to make the plant look neater. Light shaping is generally best done after flowering, giving the plant time to produce new growth before the next flowering season. 

Flowering trees 

Some ornamental trees, including plum or magnolia trees, are best left alone while they are preparing to flower or are in bloom. Unnecessary pruning can remove flower-producing branches and spoil their spring display. 

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Instead, focus on removing dead, broken, or diseased branches and save major shaping for the appropriate pruning period. 

The best pruning schedule depends on the plant species, climate and whether it flowers on old or new growth. Before cutting, identify the plant and find out where it produces its flower buds. 

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