Can you trim evergreen bushes in the winter?

It is not recommended to trim evergreen bushes during the winter months. Pruning during the winter leaves them susceptible to the cold as evergreens do not have a supply of food in their roots during the colder period. As it is going to be unable to regrow foliage after being trimmed in winter, the bush may struggle to produce enough supplies to continue growing healthily until the temperatures improve in spring.

Can you trim evergreen bushes in the summer?

There are evergreen bushes that can be trimmed in the summer, including spring flowering shrubs, yew and boxwood bushes . Not all evergreen shrubs will respond well to summer pruning, so it is advised to check before doing any trimming. Josh Novell , garden expert and director of Polhill, warns: ‘Trimming at the wrong time, like during the active growing season, can stress the plant and hinder its ability to recover. It may lead to stunted growth, susceptibility to diseases, or even cause excessive foliage loss if done improperly.

Can you trim evergreen bushes in the fall?

Evergreens are best pruned in spring, but many can be trimmed in late summer to early fall. Just do not trim too late into fall, as this will encourage the bush to put on a flush of new growth that will be susceptible to winter damage and this can reduce the overall cold hardiness of the bush.

When to trim evergreen bushes: expert advice

(Image credit: Getty Images/Jacky Parker Photography)

By Drew Swainston

published 25 November 2023

in Advice

Drew’s passion for gardening started with growing vegetables and salad in raised beds in a small urban terrace garden. He has gone on to work as a professional gardener in historic gardens across the UK and also specialise as a kitchen gardener growing vegetables, fruit, herbs, and cut flowers. That passion for growing extends to being an allotmenteer, garden blogger, and producing how-to gardening guides for websites. Drew was shortlisted in the New Talent of the Year award at the 2023 Garden Media Guild Awards.

Professional gardeners reveal when to trim evergreen bushes to keep plants healthy and thriving

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