Should I cut back all shrubs in my garden now or in Nov/Dec? Shame to do now as still green and growing?

Answer 1

February is great.

Answer 2

Knowing what shrub you have can make a bit of a difference in when you prune. All of mine with the exception of my forsythia I cut back in late Autumn. I never cut anything back until first freeze. I don't see the point when like you said, there are still lots of things that stay green until then. Of course it is just a matter of personal preference so if you want to wait and enjoy you shrubs a bit longer then go ahead. As for my forsythia I wait until it has bloomed in the spring and then trim it to the shape I want.

Good Luck

Answer 3

Generally, the best time to prune woody plants is in the early spring while they are still dormant.

Shrubs that bloom on old wood should be pruned immediately after blooming. The flowering buds of these plants are produced the previous growing season. These plants include: forsythia, lilac, viburnum, mockorange and spirea.
Evergreens can be pruned in the early spring (March-May) or in early summer after any new growth has hardened. Pines probably have the most particular pruning requirements. In the early spring they produce new growth known as "candles." These candles can be pruned when they have elongated but before the needles fully emerge.

Junipers, arborvitaes and yews can be pruned anytime from mid-April to mid-August. Pruning later would likely leave unhealed wounds that could result in winter damage.
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/trees/h1036w.htm

Answer 4

Not all plants need cutting back every year. And lotsa shrubs grow berries in winter. If you cut them back now, you lose colour from your garden in the winter months. If the plant is evergreen, then spring is the best time to cut back. Don't cut back too much tho or the plant may not recover. Try and get a plant encyclopedia, it will tell you all you need to know about the plants in your garden. Good luck!

Answer 5

Depends on the shrub in question.

Some shrubs you don't want to cut back in fall or winter if you want them to bloom the following spring (the ones that bloom on old wood). Prune back now, and you're cutting off next year's flower.

Aside from that, it's best to prune when the weather is cool or cold. Pruning when it's hot and dry is always a bad idea.

For shrubs you don't prune in the fall, cut back AFTER they flower in the spring.

Answer 6

no shrubs should only be cut back when they have stopped growing,depending on the shrub they may not need any cutting at all, evergreen shrubs for example my only need a lite cut.

Answer 7

February. Only prune shrubs and bushes when they are dormant or you will stunt their growth and possibly effect any flowering. Also, if you do it too early the can get a disease and bugs can get them which will possible kill them. I prune in February.

Answer 8

I am an armature gardener. What I would do is leave them a little longer if they are still looking ok. Feb is a good time, but if you can't wait until then do them next month. Hope this helps.

Answer 9

as you say, shame to do it now, the only other time to do it is february, because if you do it too close to the really cold weather, it can damage the ends that you have cut, leave it till the spring. I will probably do mine in march :-)

Answer 10

I think now is a good time, im sure there not growing to much in the fall and you will be able to see everything because half of it wont be hidden in the snow. I think you should just get it over with, just think of how nice it will be in the spring. =]

Answer 11

Wait untill after the first killing frost, when the shrubs go
dorment for the winter.