By now, we can only hope that the winter weather is behind us as we set our sights on spring. As our plants begin to grow, we can better assess the damage that has been done. For spring-blooming plants, we should avoid pruning until we re sure there has been damage. Some plants may simply have a few burned leaves, which will begin to fall. If we prune too soon, we may cut off potential flowers.
Frost protection is critical when the plants begin emerging in the spring.
Azaleas, fruit trees and strawberries all are more sensitive to cold as their buds open. Fruit trees are harder to protect, but small plants can be covered. If we have crape myrtles, altheas, buddleias, summer-blooming spireas or other plants that flower during the summer on current season s growth, and they need pruning, we should do so soon. Normally, we prune them in late February. However, we can still prune some, but we must do it soon.