By Copia Home & Garden
We get a lot of pruning questions this time of year—and we love it! There’s something energizing about getting out in the garden, clearing away the winter mess, and shaping things up for a season of new growth. But not everything should be cut back in April.
At Copia Home & Garden, we’re here to help you prune with purpose. Here’s your go-to guide for what to tackle now—and what to wait on.
✅ What to Prune in April
1. Dead or Damaged Wood
This is a no-brainer. If it’s broken, brown, brittle, or clearly dead, cut it out. Removing deadwood helps plants redirect energy to healthy growth and prevents disease.
2. Summer-Blooming Shrubs
These bloom on new wood, so April is the perfect time to shape them up:
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Hydrangea paniculata (like ‘Limelight’)
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Rose of Sharon
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Butterfly Bush
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Spirea (some varieties)
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Beautyberry
Cut them back by about one-third to encourage bushier growth and bigger blooms later in the season.
3. Roses
Now’s the time to prune most rose types—remove dead canes and open up the center for airflow. If you’re unsure which type of rose you have, just ask—we’re happy to help you ID it.
4. Ornamental Grasses
If you didn’t cut them back in late winter, do it now before new growth gets too high. Cut to 4–6 inches from the ground for a fresh start.
5. Perennials Still Standing
Many perennials (like sedum, coneflower, and daylilies) were left standing for winter interest or pollinator shelter. Go ahead and cut them back to the crown now—new shoots are likely emerging.
🚫 What Not to Prune Yet
1. Spring-Flowering Shrubs
These bloom on last year’s growth, so pruning now would cut off this season’s flowers:
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Lilacs
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Forsythia
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Azaleas & Rhododendrons
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Viburnums
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Weigela
Wait until after they finish blooming, then prune for shape and size if needed.
2. Evergreens (Like Boxwood, Yew, Arborvitae)
Hold off until mid- to late-May, once new growth begins. Pruning now could trigger growth too early and risk frost damage.
3. Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangeas)
These can be tricky—some varieties bloom on old wood, some on new. Don’t prune unless you know your type. Bring us a photo or variety name, and we’ll help you figure it out.
🛠️ Pruning Tips from the Copia Crew
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Always use sharp, clean tools to avoid damaging plants.
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Prune on a dry day to reduce disease spread.
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When in doubt, less is more—you can always trim more later.
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Bring us a branch! We’re happy to take a look and give pruning advice specific to your plant.
Stop By for Tools, Tips & Hands-On Help
We’ve stocked up on high-quality pruners, gloves, and sharpening tools—plus organic sealants and sprays to protect freshly cut branches.
Need help identifying what to prune and when? Snap a photo of your garden or bring in a cutting—we love talking plants and giving real, practical advice.
Let’s make April the month your garden gets its groove back.
