How & When To Prune in Zone 4

Don't fear the pruners! Watch Leonie prune our unruly Limelight hydrangea and Sundrop spirea below.

Below are our top three pruning tips from the experts at Mandy's Spring Nursery:

• We recommend pruning hydrangeas & most deciduous shrubs after the first frost. They’ll lose their leaves, making it easier to see your cuts. They’ll also be dormant, so they won’t put on new growth. However, as you may notice, we’re painting the barn and so these big blooms needed to go.

• Wait to prune marginally hardy plants, evergreens, and fruits until early spring. The additional foliage and growth will act as a winter jacket, protecting plants when temps drop.

• Always use clean, sharp pruners, and use the right tool for the job. We love Felco #2 and #6 hand pruners for most jobs, but it’s worth investing in high-quality shears, loppers, and a pruning saw for bigger jobs. We recommend shears & loppers made by Corona Tools, they are great quality and have comfortable grips.