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7 Plants to Prune in March and April Before It's Too Late
Spring gardening season is starting to take off!
Published on Feb. 26, 2026
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As the weather warms up, it's time to get out and start tidying your garden. Depending on where you live, there are many plants that can be pruned in March and April. Experts recommend pruning plants like crepe myrtles, spring-flowering shrubs, catmint, twig dogwoods, vitex trees, and certain types of hydrangeas and summer-blooming shrubs during this time to prepare them for the growing season ahead.
Why it matters
Pruning plants at the right time of year is crucial for their health and appearance. Early spring pruning helps reduce disease pressure, improve airflow, and establish resilience before the stresses of summer. It also ensures plants are properly shaped and sized before they start actively growing.
The details
In warmer climates, March through April is considered a good time to prune because the risk of freezing weather has mostly passed, allowing new growth to emerge without being damaged. In colder regions, it's also a good time to remove any broken, split or crossing branches on shrubs and trees. However, experts caution against pruning shrubs that bloom on last year's growth, as that can remove this year's flower buds.
- March through April is a good time to prune because freeze risk is mostly past.
- After spring bloomers such as azaleas, gardenias, camellias, and forsythia bloom, you can shape them as needed.
The players
Megan Proska
Associate vice president, horticulture and collections at Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
Amanda Bennett
Vice president of horticulture and collections, and certified arborist at Atlanta Botanical Garden.
What they’re saying
“March through April is a good time to prune because freeze risk is mostly past. This means new growth is less likely to be cold-burned, and wounds will heal faster since the plant is in a growing stage.”
— Megan Proska, Associate vice president, horticulture and collections
“If you see broken or split branches on shrubs or trees or crossing branches, it's a good time to remove them. Also, look for deciduous trees that weren't able to get over their winter damage and have those pruned for structural and safety reasons.”
— Amanda Bennett, Vice president of horticulture and collections, and certified arborist
The takeaway
Proper spring pruning is essential for the health and appearance of many plants. By taking the time to prune at the right time of year, gardeners can help their plants thrive and prepare them for the challenges of the growing season ahead.
