5 Plants You Should Prune This Weekend So They're Vibrant All Spring and Summer

Pruning is a crucial part of plant maintenance. It may feel disheartening to snip off branches and buds, but doing so will help your plants and flowers develop stronger roots and stems so they can bloom and flourish to their full potential.

When it comes to caring for your outdoor plants, spring is often the perfect time to give your perennial shrubs a little extra attention to ensure vibrant blooms, lush foliage, and healthy growth throughout the summer. "Pruning in early to mid-spring—just as new growth begins—removes winter damage, improves air circulation, and shapes the plant for the growing season," says Jon VanZile, a gardening expert and author of The Flower Garden Deck.

Ahead of the heat, here's what the experts recommend pruning now so your garden will look its best come summer.

Hydrangeas

There are more than 70 species of hydrangea, a colorful bloom native to Asia and the Americas. Hydrangeas prefer part to full sun and rich, well-drained soil, and will need to be pruned according to their type. Hydrangea that bloom on old wood should be pruned immediately after blooming; trim them now, and you risk cutting off this year's blooms. However, hydrangea that bloom on new wood, like smooth (Annabelle) and panicle hydrangeas, can use a hard cutting in the spring, says VanZile, who recommends cutting them back to right above a set of leaf nodes.

Butterfly Bushes

Butterfly bush, also known as buddleia, gets its charming moniker from the namesake insect that is attracted to its fragrant flowers. The plant thrives in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 5-9. VanZile says it's best to cut the plant down by 6-12 inches in the spring to encourage a compact shape and better flowering later in the year—it should bloom mid-July.

Russian Sage

Russian Sage (Salvia yangii) is an excellent plant for warm climates as it tolerates heat and humidity and prefers full sun. VanZile recommends trimming the bush down to a height of 6–12 inches before the season’s new growth begins to emerge in early June.

Roses

Roses are known to benefit from frequent pruning, and this is especially true as the warm weather sets in. "Roses are a garden classic," says VanZile. "Prune yours in early spring when buds swell by removing any dead, weak, or crossing canes." He also notes that regular feedings can improve the quality of your blooms throughout the season; aim to add a mild fertilizer every three to four weeks in the summer.

Caryopteris

Native to East Asia, Caryopteris bushes are particularly attractive to bees and butterflies. "To promote better flowering, cut stems back to 6–12 inches in early spring before growth starts," explains Vanzile. This will encourage the shrub to "bush out" and promote a fuller growth habit with more bountiful blooms.