Think garden season is over? October is actually one of the best months for setting up your garden for success. What you do with your pruners this fall really does affect how your spring garden looks.
Those shrubs aren’t just going dormant. They’re preparing for their next show, and they need your help now.
Why Fall Pruning Matters
Fall pruning helps your shrubs direct their energy exactly where it’s needed most. Properly pruned shrubs can produce up to 30% more blooms in spring. That’s a pretty significant difference.
Not all pruning should wait until spring. For these nine shrubs, October is actually the right time.
9 Shrubs to Prune in October
1. Hydrangeas (But Not All of Them)
The real trick with hydrangeas is knowing which ones to prune. Only prune varieties that bloom on new wood:
• Panicle hydrangeas (H. paniculata) – Think ‘Limelight’ or ‘PeeGee.’
• Smooth hydrangeas (H. arborescens) – Like ‘Annabelle.’
Leave bigleaf hydrangeas alone. Cutting mopheads or oakleafs now means you’ll remove the flower buds already formed for spring.
2. Roses (With a Gentle Touch)
Your roses need a light trim, not a major haircut. Focus on:
• Removing dead or damaged branches
• Cutting out crossing stems that rub against each other
• Creating better airflow through the center
Save the big cuts for spring. This is more like maintenance than surgery.
3. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
These grow fast and need boundaries. Cut these back by about two-thirds. Without this, they’ll become lanky and get damaged by winter winds and snow.
4. Spirea
These flowering shrubs benefit from a fall clean-up:
• Remove dead branches
• Thin crowded areas
• Shape lightly for structure
The result is a bushier, healthier display come springtime.
5. Reblooming Lilacs (Bloomerang)
Unlike traditional lilacs that shouldn’t be pruned in fall, these rebloomers welcome a light October trim. It helps reset their bloom cycle for better spring performance.
6. Boxwood
Boxwoods actually do well with a fall trim. These structured shrubs maintain their shape better through winter when lightly pruned now.
7. Crape Myrtle
Most people either cut these way too hard or ignore them completely. The best approach is a light autumn trim, removing only dead or damaged branches. They’ll reward you with better summer blooms.
8. Smoke Bush (Cotinus)
These need to be pruned in the fall to keep them under control. Remove overgrown branches now, and they’ll produce those nice “smoke” plumes that give them their name.
9. Ninebark (Physocarpus)
These native plants can handle a more serious fall pruning. Their peeling bark is a winter feature, and removing older woody stems encourages more of this look.
When and How to Prune
Why October Works
October is good timing for several reasons:
• Plants are entering dormancy, which reduces shock
• Cuts have time to heal before hard freezes
• Removes diseased wood before winter
• Prevents winter damage from heavy snow and ice
It’s also easier to do this work now rather than in early spring when the ground might be muddy.
What Not to Do
What matters most is knowing what to avoid:
• Don’t prune spring-flowering shrubs that have already set their buds (forsythia, traditional lilacs, rhododendrons)
• Don’t remove more than 1/3 of the plant’s total growth
• Don’t use dull tools that crush rather than cut
• Don’t forget to sanitize tools between plants (a 10% bleach solution works)
Tools You’ll Need
• Sharp bypass pruners for branches under ½ inch
• Loppers for branches up to 2 inches
• Pruning saw for anything larger
• Disinfectant (rubbing alcohol or 10% bleach solution)
• Gloves
Aftercare
After pruning, give your shrubs some extra care:
• Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around the base (but not touching the stems)
• Water deeply one last time before the ground freezes
• Consider anti-desiccant sprays for broadleaf evergreens
This helps protect them through winter.
Looking Ahead to Spring
While others are pruning in March and April, you’ll be watching your shrubs burst into life. That’s the payoff for your October effort, a garden that’s ready to go while others are just getting started.
Pruning isn’t just about control. It’s about helping your plants direct their springtime energy where it’ll have the most impact.
Now grab those pruners and give your shrubs the fall care they need. Your spring garden starts now.