When should I prune spring-flowering deciduous shrubs?

Question: 

When should I prune spring-flowering deciduous shrubs?

Answer: 

Spring-flowering shrubs, such as lilac and forsythia, bloom in spring on the growth of the previous season.  The plant’s health or condition determines the best time to prune spring-flowering shrubs. 

Neglected, overgrown spring-flowering shrubs often require extensive pruning to rejuvenate or renew the plants.  The best time to rejuvenate large, overgrown shrubs is late winter or early spring (March or early April).  Heavy pruning in late winter or early spring will reduce or eliminate the flower display for 2 or 3 years.  However, rejuvenation pruning will restore the health of the shrubs.  

The best time to prune healthy, well-maintained spring-flowering shrubs is immediately after flowering.  (Healthy, well-maintained shrubs should require only light to moderate pruning.)  Pruning immediately after flowering allows gardeners to enjoy the spring flower display and provides adequate time for the shrubs to initiate new flower buds for next season.  
 

Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Horticulture and Home Pest News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. If this article is to be used in any other manner, permission from the author is required. This article was originally published on . The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.