Late winter pruning for summer-blooming plants can encourage new growth.

The article explains that late winter is a common time to prune plants that bloom on new wood and lists 14 shrubs, trees and perennials that typically respond well to this timing; it highlights basic pruning aims such as removing dead or damaged branches, cutting suckers, and thinning to promote stronger stems.

Late winter is identified as an appropriate time to prune many plants that bloom in summer on "new wood," meaning flower buds form on growth produced in the same year. The article emphasizes the distinction between new-wood and old-wood bloomers and notes that timing matters for when to prune. It reports that pruning at this season typically focuses on removing dead, diseased, or damaged branches, cutting suckers to the root, and thinning weak or spindly stems. The piece lists 14 specific plants that commonly respond to late-winter pruning and explains a few species differences. Reported details: - New-wood vs. old-wood: New-wood bloomers produce summer flowers on growth from the current season, while many old-wood bloomers are best pruned after they finish flowering. - Common pruning aims: Remove dead or damaged wood, cut back suckers, and thin weak stems so energy is directed to stronger main stems. - Examples of listed new-wood natives and perennials: summersweet, beautyberry, rose mallow, smooth hydrangea, panicle hydrangea, and hardy fuchsia. - Examples of listed shrubs and trees: rose-of-Sharon, crape myrtle, chaste tree, and various roses that bloom on new wood. - Invasiveness note: The article reports that Japanese spiraea and butterfly bush are considered invasive in some U.S. states and mentions pruning practices described in the article aimed at limiting spread and seed dispersal. Summary: Late-winter pruning, as described in the article, is timed to encourage new-season wood that will carry summer blooms and to remove material that could reduce flowering. The article lists specific species that generally respond to this timing and notes where some plants are reported as invasive and may be managed with additional pruning. Undetermined at this time.