Spring Pruning in Winchester, VA

Early spring is one of the most important times of year for your landscape — and if you have bushes, hedges, or shrubs, it’s also the perfect time for pruning. Sometimes you might even benefitt from a 'hard prune.'

One of the services that we've become well known for is our ability to prune thoughtfully and very specifically. All pruning is thoughtfully, and often tediously, done by owner Nick - never left to members of our crews with other skill sets or those in training. It's one of his favorite types of jobs!

You'll never see a 'hack job' from us!!

Timing makes all the difference between healthy, thriving plants and weak, stressed growth. Below, we break down why early spring is the best season to cut back and reset your landscape. Nick just did all the pruning in his own yard this week (if you're reading this later - we're referencing the last week of February).

Note: Pruning can differ from other types of trimming or cutting back growth - so feel free to reach out to see what's best for you!

What is Pruning? And specifically, what is a Hard Prune?

Pruning is like a hair cut - yes, sometimes you get a cut to shape and style, but an expert stylist is also thinking about the health of your hair and cutting off an ideal amount of dead growth or length so that the rest of your hair can flourish!

Pruning helps stimulate growth by allowing a plant to put energy into new growth, rather than last year's dead growth. A hard prune (also called rejuvenation pruning) involves cutting shrubs and hedges back significantly — sometimes down to 6–12 inches from the ground, depending on the species. While it may look dramatic at first, this process stimulates strong, healthy new growth and restores shape, density, and vitality.

So, why prune now, in early Spring?

1. Plants Are Still Dormant (Less Stress)

In early spring, most shrubs are just coming out of winter dormancy. Because they haven’t fully leafed out yet:

• Energy is still stored in the root system

• Sap flow hasn’t peaked

• The plant experiences less shock

Pruning at this stage allows plants to direct stored energy into fresh, vigorous growth as soon as temperatures rise.

2. You Encourage Stronger, Fuller Growth

When you hard prune in early spring, you:

• Remove weak or winter-damaged branches

• Stimulate thicker, denser growth

• Improve overall plant structure

By summer, most properly pruned shrubs come back fuller and more balanced than before.

3. You Reduce Disease & Pest Issues

Winter can leave behind:

• Dead wood

• Crossing branches

• Areas vulnerable to fungal growth

Early spring pruning improves airflow and sunlight penetration — two key factors in preventing common landscape diseases and pest infestations.

4. It Improves Flowering (For the Right Plants)

Many summer-flowering shrubs bloom on new wood. Hard pruning them in early spring actually increases bloom production.

Plants that typically respond well include:

• Hydrangeas (panicle and smooth varieties)

• Spirea

• Butterfly bush

• Potentilla

Important: Spring-flowering shrubs like lilac or forsythia bloom on old wood and should be pruned after flowering instead.

5. Easier Cleanup & Better Visibility

Before leaves fill in, it’s easier to:

• See the plant’s structure

• Identify dead or damaged branches

• Shape hedges accurately

Plus, cleanup is quicker without dense foliage in the way.

6. It Sets the Tone for the Entire Growing Season

Think of early spring pruning as a reset button. By shaping and thinning plants now, you:

• Reduce the need for heavy trimming later

• Maintain consistent hedge lines

• Keep shrubs from becoming leggy or top-heavy

A well-timed hard prune creates a cleaner, more polished landscape all season long.

When Should You Schedule a Hard Prune?

The ideal window is late winter to early spring — typically before consistent daytime temperatures rise and before buds fully open.

If you're unsure whether your shrubs can handle a hard prune, a professional evaluation ensures the right plants are cut back — and at the proper depth.

Trust a Local Landscaping Professional - CALL NICK!

Pruning is one of the most beneficial — and most misunderstood — services in landscaping. Done correctly, it revitalizes your yard. Done incorrectly, it can damage or delay growth.

Contact us today to schedule your Spring pruning service and give your landscape the fresh start it deserves.