But not all garden plants should get this treatment in wintertime.
Before you pick up your shears, consider this list of plants you shouldnever cut backin winter.
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Waiting until fall or winter can stunt growth next year.
This could be late winter or early spring.
Elsewhere, waiting until early spring once growth begins can reduce the likelihood of pathogens.
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Lilacs
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Avoid pruning lilacs and other spring bloomers like magnolias in winter.
That important role in the ecosystem doesn’t stop in winter.
Leave milkweed plants standing until spring to provide an essential habitat for beneficial insects.
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Cut back English lavender after it flowers in the spring, then again after it flowers in late summer.
For English lavender hybrids, wait until after late summer flowering to cut back.
Instead, wait until late summer to cut back these deciduous trees.
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Pollinating insects can also benefit from leaving dead stems and leaves in place until new growth appears in spring.
They can also be a food source and much-needed habitat for wildlife.
Winter is a good time to prune trees and shrubs.University of Minnesota Extension.
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Roses climbing on white wall.Ekely / Getty Images
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The vibrant color of Japanese maples in the fall makes them a favorite for dynamic garden design. This tree in Portland, Oregon is well suited to the temperate climate there.Adrian Mills / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
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