As autumn settles in across the West Side of Washington State, our gardens begin to wind down for the year. While fall is often seen as a time to let plants rest, it's also the perfect time to prune certain species to encourage healthy growth in the spring. Understanding which plants benefit from fall pruning in our climate—characterized by its mild, rainy winters and temperate summers—can help you keep your garden looking tidy and set it up for success next year.

In this post, we’ll dive into the specific plants that should be pruned in the fall, tailored to the unique climate conditions of Western Washington.

Why Prune in Fall?

Pruning in the fall helps your plants transition into the colder months in a controlled way. For many species, pruning can:

• Promote better growth in the following spring.
• Prevent disease by removing damaged or dead wood that can attract pests.
• Shape plants to improve structure and aesthetics.
• Encourage fruiting and flowering by removing old growth or damaged stems.

However, it’s important to note that not all plants should be pruned in fall. Some plants, particularly spring-blooming ones, benefit more from pruning in late winter or early spring when they are dormant and before new growth begins.

Plants to Prune in the Fall in Western Washington

1. Deciduous Shrubs (After Leaf Drop):

Deciduous shrubs, or those that lose their leaves in the fall, are often prime candidates for fall pruning. Pruning these plants after they’ve gone dormant helps to improve their shape, remove dead or damaged wood, and encourage new growth for next year.

• Hydrangeas (except for mophead types): Hydrangeas benefit from light fall pruning to remove spent blooms and shape the shrub. Be sure to prune the stems back to just above a set of healthy buds, but avoid cutting them too aggressively, as this can limit their blooms next season.
• Spirea: Fall is a great time to cut back spirea plants to encourage healthy growth and maintain their shape. Remove any dead or diseased wood and trim back about a third of the plant to rejuvenate it.
• Weigela: Prune out any dead or damaged branches. You can also lightly shape the plant but be sure to leave some of the older wood for next year’s blooms.
• Forsythia: While forsythia flowers on older wood in early spring, it can still be lightly pruned in fall to remove any spent or damaged branches. This will help prevent disease and encourage strong new growth in the spring.

2. Evergreens

Evergreens are often pruned in the fall to maintain their shape, remove damaged limbs, and control their size. However, it’s crucial not to prune too aggressively, as some evergreens (like pines) can be damaged by too much cutting.

• Hollies: Fall is an excellent time to prune hollies, as their growth slows down during this season. Remove any dead or overgrown branches and shape the plant to encourage new growth next spring.
• Junipers: For junipers and other conifers, you can prune back errant growth in the fall, but avoid cutting into old, woody stems, as they won’t sprout back. Focus on removing any dead or damaged branches and be cautious about over-pruning. 

3. Fruit Trees

While heavy pruning is best done in late winter or early spring, fall is a good time to perform some light maintenance on fruit trees, especially to remove dead or diseased wood.

• Apple and Pear Trees: Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged wood to prevent the spread of pests and diseases through the winter. You can also remove any low-hanging branches that may be vulnerable to snow and ice damage. If you have a vigorous tree, you can prune back to help shape it and allow better sunlight penetration next season.
• Plums and Cherries: Like apples and pears, light pruning can be done on stone fruit trees to remove damaged or diseased wood. However, avoid heavy pruning in fall, as these trees tend to be more susceptible to disease if pruned in the wet season. 

4. Roses (Especially Shrub and Hybrid Tea Varieties)

Roses are generally pruned in late winter or early spring, but in Western Washington, it can be beneficial to remove any dead or damaged stems in the fall, especially if there’s a risk of them being damaged by winter rains or winds. 

• Hybrid Tea and Shrub Roses: Prune away any dead or weak canes, but wait until late winter to do more substantial pruning. You can also tidy up the plants by cutting off spent flowers (also known as deadheading) and removing any leaves that show signs of disease, which can help prevent fungal infections over the winter.

5. Perennials

While most perennials are left to overwinter in their natural state, fall is a great time to cut back certain varieties, especially those that have finished blooming or have dead foliage.

• Daylilies: After the first frost, you can cut back daylilies to the ground. This will help tidy up your garden and reduce the chance of pests hiding in the dead foliage.
• Hostas: Prune hostas in the fall after their leaves have died back. Cutting them down to the ground helps reduce the chance of slug and pest infestations over the winter.
• Peonies: While you can leave peony foliage through the winter to help protect the crown, it’s a good idea to cut back the foliage to about 2-3 inches above the soil after the first frost.
• Clematis: In general, clematis should be pruned in the spring, but fall is the ideal time for pruning clematis varieties that bloom in the summer or fall** (like **Clematis viticella**). These varieties can be cut back by about one-third to keep them from becoming too leggy or unruly. This will encourage new growth and better blooms the following season.
• Lavender: Lavender does well with a light prune in the fall to prevent it from getting too woody. After the blooms have faded, trim back about one-third of the plant’s growth, being careful not to cut into the woody stems. This helps maintain the plant’s shape and keeps it healthy over the winter.

What NOT to Prune in Fall

While fall is a good time for many types of pruning, some plants should be left alone until later in the year. Avoid pruning:

• Spring-Blooming Shrubs: Plants like lilacs, azaleas, rhododendrons, and forsythia bloom on old wood, so pruning in fall could remove flower buds for next season.
• Maples and Birches: These trees should be pruned in the late winter or early spring to reduce the risk of excessive sap loss and potential stress.
• Citrus Trees: Citrus trees, which are less common in Western Washington but sometimes grown in containers, should not be pruned in fall. Prune them in late winter when they are dormant.

Final Thoughts

Pruning in the fall is an essential part of maintaining a healthy, beautiful garden on the West Side of Washington. By following the guidelines in this post, you can ensure that your plants enter the winter months in the best possible shape, ready to burst with fresh growth in the spring. Remember, each plant has its own needs, so take the time to research the specific care requirements of your garden’s varieties to ensure you prune at the right time and in the right way.

With the right approach, your garden will be prepped for success in the coming year—one carefully pruned branch at a time!

Happy gardening!