November may seem like a quiet month in the garden, but it’s actually one of the best times to get ahead on pruning. As temperatures cool and plants prepare for dormancy, selective trimming helps shape your shrubs, improve airflow, and encourage healthy regrowth when spring arrives. Proper pruning in late fall reduces the risk of disease and gives your plants the best start possible for the next growing season.
Why Prune in November?
During November, most deciduous trees and shrubs have shed their leaves, making it easier to see the structure of each plant. This visibility allows gardeners to identify crossing branches, dead wood, or areas that need thinning. Because growth has slowed, pruning now creates minimal stress on the plant and reduces sap loss.
In colder climates, pruning before deep winter helps prevent snow and ice damage by removing weak limbs that might otherwise snap. In mild regions, trimming in November allows wounds to heal gradually before new growth begins in early spring.
Shrubs and Plants That Benefit Most from November Pruning
1. Roses
After the final blooms fade, trim your rose bushes to remove dead or diseased stems. Cutting them back by about one-third strengthens the structure and prevents wind damage. Hybrid tea roses and floribundas benefit most from this pre-winter tidy-up, ensuring a flush of healthy stems in spring.
2. Hydrangeas (Old Wood Varieties)
For hydrangeas that bloom on old wood, such as Hydrangea macrophylla and Hydrangea quercifolia, prune lightly in November to remove spent flowers and thin crowded stems. Avoid heavy pruning, which can reduce next year’s blooms. The goal is to create space for light and air circulation.
3. Lavender
Lavender should be trimmed back after flowering, but if you missed it in late summer, November offers a second chance in warmer regions. Remove the top third of growth without cutting into old woody stems. This keeps your lavender compact and prevents splitting during winter storms.
4. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
Cutting back your butterfly bush in late fall encourages vigorous new shoots in spring. Reduce its height by about half and remove any dead or weak branches. This keeps the shrub full, manageable, and blooming profusely once warm weather returns.
5. Fruit Trees (Apples, Pears, and Plums)
For gardeners in mild climates, November is a smart time to prune established fruit trees. Remove crossing branches and thin the canopy to improve sunlight penetration. Better light and airflow reduce disease risk and promote fruiting spurs for next season’s harvest.
6. Wisteria
Wisteria can easily become tangled and woody without regular maintenance. In November, shorten the long summer growths to about 30 centimeters (12 inches). This directs the plant’s energy into producing buds rather than excessive vines, rewarding you with abundant flowers in spring.
7. Ornamental Grasses
Once frost has browned the foliage, trim ornamental grasses to a few inches above ground level. This clears away old stems and allows fresh shoots to emerge cleanly in spring. In very cold zones, delay this task until late winter to protect the crown from freezing temperatures.
What Not to Prune in November
Some plants are better left untouched until spring. Avoid pruning early spring bloomers such as lilacs, azaleas, and forsythia now, since they form buds on last year’s wood. Cutting them in November removes next year’s flowers. Similarly, tender shrubs and evergreens are best pruned after the threat of frost has passed to avoid winter dieback.
Prepare for a Flourishing Spring
Pruning in November may take some planning, but the payoff is enormous. By removing dead wood, shaping your shrubs, and stimulating new growth, you’re setting up your garden for success. When spring arrives, the plants you tended in autumn will respond with lush foliage, abundant blooms, and vigorous growth.
Whether you’re maintaining ornamental shrubs, fruit trees, or perennial borders, consistent fall care ensures a more balanced and resilient garden. Keep your pruning tools ready, mark your calendar each November, and watch your garden thrive year after year.