In winter, an experienced tree professional can easily distinguish between live and dead wood. Winter pruning is often preferred because it is easy to visualize shaping when foliage is gone. Such work can also be done at lower cost in winter because fewer precautions are necessary to avoid garden and flower bed damage, and cleanup is easier. The pruning of ornamental vines is similar to the pruning of ornamental shrubs. Vines that are grown for foliage are pruned to control growth and direction.
Timing is less critical than for flowering vines.
Ground cover plants require very little pruning. Dead or damaged stems should be removed whenever observed. Some trailing ground covers, such as English ivy, may need pruning to prevent encroachment on lawn areas or other plants. With liriope, a grass-like ground cover, appearance is improved by an annual pruning. Before new leaves are an inch tall, remove the dead leaves from the previous year.