Seacoast NH Pruning Calendar
Prune With The Season - Not Against
A Seasonal Guide for Seacoast NH & Southern Maine
The Seacoast Gardener Pruning Calendar is built specifically for the growing conditions of Seacoast NH and Southern Maine. From the Portsmouth Area to Rye and New Castle, and throughout Hampton, Greenland and Stratham, North Hampton and Exeter, and Dover and Durham, shrubs respond to seasonal rhythm more than fixed dates on a calendar. Pruning at the right time protects flowering, strengthens structure, and supports long-term plant health in our coastal climate.
This guide walks you through the four pruning seasons we follow at Seacoast Gardener. The goal is simple — prune with the season, not against it, and allow each plant to grow in balance with its natural cycle.
Early Spring Pruning on the Seacoast
Spring is when most pruning questions arise — and when most mistakes happen. Throughout the Portsmouth Area and across Seacoast NH, flowering shrubs define the landscape, so timing matters.
Hydrangea (Panicle & Smooth Types) - These bloom on new growth and should be cut back before leaves fully emerge. Early pruning encourages strong stems and fuller blooms. Read the full Hydrangea Pruning Guide
Spirea - Trim before new growth takes off. Waiting too long can reduce flowering and create uneven growth. Read the full Spirea Pruning Guide
Ninebark - Responds well to early thinning while dormant. Once leafed out, shaping becomes harder. Read the full Ninebark Pruning Guide
Shrub Roses Knock Out & Rugosa Varieties - Cut back as buds begin to swell. Pruning too late reduces bloom. Read the full Shrub Rose Pruning Guide
Late Spring - After Flowers Fade
Lilac (Syringa)- Prune immediately after flowering in late May or early June. Trimming later removes next year’s blooms. Read the full Lilac Pruning Guide
Forsythia
Trim as soon as flowers fade. Late pruning cuts off next season’s buds.
→ Read the full Forsythia Pruning Guide
Weigela
Prune right after flowering to protect next year’s display.
→ Read the full Weigela Pruning Guide
Rhododendron
Lightly prune once blooms fade, before new buds form.
→ Read the full Rhododendron Pruning Guide
Azalea
Must be pruned immediately after flowering. Delaying reduces future blooms.
→ Read the full Azalea Pruning Guide
Viburnum (Spring Varieties)
Trim after flowering to preserve next season’s buds.
→ Read the full Viburnum Pruning Guide
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Top 5 Spring Pruning FAQs
When should I prune lilacs in Seacoast NH?
Yes — right after the flowers fade. Lilacs form next year’s buds soon after blooming, so pruning later removes those future flowers.
Watch out for: trimming in midsummer or fall.
Can I trim shrubs in April?
It depends. Summer bloomers can be cut early, but spring bloomers must wait until after flowering.
Watch for: visible buds along stems before cutting.
Why didn’t my lilac bloom this year?
It depends, but usually yes — it was pruned too late. Cutting after early summer removes developing buds.
Watch for: heavy shearing that encourages leaves but not flowers.
Is early spring too early to cut hydrangeas back?
No — not for panicle or smooth types. They bloom on new growth and respond well to early pruning.
Watch out for: bigleaf hydrangeas, which follow different timing.
Can I shape shrubs while they’re flowering?
No. Pruning during bloom reduces the display and interrupts growth.
Watch for: selective deadheading instead.
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Need a hand with Spring pruning? Call Seacoast Gardener at (603) 770-5072 or contact us online at INSERT YOUR CONTACT PAGE LINK.
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2️⃣ Summer Pruning on the Seacoast
Summer pruning is about refinement, not major reduction. In Hampton and Southern Maine coastal areas, restraint during heat is essential.
Boxwood
Lightly trim once new growth settles. Heavy midsummer shearing weakens the plant.
→ Read the full Boxwood Pruning Guide
Inkberry Holly
Responds best to gentle thinning. Avoid aggressive cutting during heat.
→ Read the full Inkberry Pruning Guide
Arborvitae
Shape lightly and avoid cutting into bare wood.
→ Read the full Arborvitae Pruning Guide
Yew
Tolerates light shaping but avoid heavy summer reduction.
→ Read the full Yew Pruning Guide
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Top 5 Summer Pruning FAQs
Is it okay to prune bushes in July?
Yes — lightly. Gentle trimming is fine, but heavy cutting stresses plants during heat.
Watch out for: removing too much leaf surface.
Will summer pruning hurt my plants?
It depends. Light shaping is safe; aggressive reduction weakens growth.
Watch for: wilting after trimming.
Can I reduce the size of shrubs in summer?
No — not significantly. Major reduction often causes uneven regrowth.
Watch out for: late-season tender growth.
Why do shrubs look stressed after trimming in heat?
Yes — heat plus heavy pruning causes stress. Shrubs rely on foliage to regulate moisture.
Watch for: dull or scorched leaves.
Can I trim hedges in August?
Yes — lightly. Gentle shaping keeps hedges neat.
Watch out for: deep cuts that encourage late growth.
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Need a hand with Summer pruning? Call Seacoast Gardener at (603) 770-5072 or contact us online at INSERT YOUR CONTACT PAGE LINK.
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3️⃣ Fall Pruning on the Seacoast
Fall is usually a time for restraint. In Greenland and Stratham and North Hampton and Exeter, heavy pruning too late encourages growth that won’t survive winter.
Hydrangea (Oakleaf & Macrophylla Types)
These set next year’s buds before winter. Fall pruning removes blooms.
→ Read the full Hydrangea Pruning Guide
Red & Yellow Twig Dogwood
Best left for winter color.
→ Read the full Dogwood Pruning Guide
Japanese Maple (Dwarf Forms)
Avoid heavy pruning before dormancy.
→ Read the full Japanese Maple Pruning Guide
Climbing Hydrangea
Forms buds before winter; fall pruning reduces flowers.
→ Read the full Climbing Hydrangea Pruning Guide
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Top 5 Fall Pruning FAQs
Can I cut shrubs back before winter?
It depends. Light cleanup is fine, but major pruning can trigger tender growth.
Watch out for: frost damage on new shoots.
Why shouldn’t I prune hydrangeas in fall?
No — not most types. Many have already formed next year’s buds.
Watch for: visible buds before cutting.
Is October too late to trim bushes?
Yes — for heavy pruning. Plants are preparing for dormancy.
Watch out for: disrupting winter hardiness.
Will fall pruning protect plants from snow?
No. Heavy pruning can weaken structure.
Watch for: better structural corrections in late winter.
Should everything be cut back before winter?
No. Many shrubs benefit from being left intact.
Watch out for: over-tidying the landscape.
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Need a hand with Fall pruning? Call Seacoast Gardener at (603) 770-5072 or contact us online at INSERT YOUR CONTACT PAGE LINK.
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4️⃣ Winter Pruning & Protection on the Seacoast
Winter is often the safest time for structural pruning. Across Dover and Durham and the greater Portsmouth Area, dormant-season work supports strong spring growth.
Hydrangea (Panicle & Smooth Types)
Cut back in late winter before leaves appear.
→ Read the full Hydrangea Pruning Guide
Spirea
Trim while dormant for strong regrowth.
→ Read the full Spirea Pruning Guide
Ninebark
Thin in late winter when structure is visible.
→ Read the full Ninebark Pruning Guide
Shrub Roses
Cut back just before bud swell.
→ Read the full Shrub Rose Pruning Guide
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Top 7 Winter Pruning & Protection FAQs
Is winter really the best time to prune?
Yes. Dormancy reduces stress and allows clearer shaping.
Watch for: pruning before buds swell.
Can you prune in February in Seacoast NH?
Yes. Late winter is ideal before spring growth begins.
Watch out for: extreme cold immediately after cutting.
Why do professionals prune in winter?
Yes — because it protects plant health. Dormant pruning prevents excessive regrowth.
Watch for: improved spring structure.
Will winter pruning kill my shrubs?
No. Proper dormant pruning is safe.
Watch out for: removing too much at once.
What shrubs should be pruned in winter?
Yes — most summer bloomers benefit. They bloom on new growth.
Watch for: overgrown foundation shrubs.
Should I wrap my evergreens in burlap for winter?
It depends. In exposed Seacoast NH areas like Rye and New Castle, burlap helps reduce wind burn.
Watch out for: wrapping too tightly without airflow.
How do I keep deer from eating my shrubs in winter?
Yes — prevention works. Deer pressure increases across Southern Maine and Seacoast NH in winter. Seacoast Gardener uses Deer Pro, a safe, proven deer damage prevention strategy.
Watch for: early browsing damage on arborvitae and yew.
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Need a hand with Winter pruning? Call Seacoast Gardener at (603) 770-5072 or contact us online at INSERT YOUR CONTACT PAGE LINK.
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Common Seacoast & Southern Maine Shrubs Covered
1Abelia
Alberta Spruce
Arborvitae (including Globe varieties)
Azalea
Barberry
Bayberry
Bearberry Cotoneaster
Beautyberry
Blue Holly
Blueberry (ornamental varieties)
Boxwood
Burning Bush
Butterfly Bush
Buttonbush
Cinquefoil
Climbing Hydrangea (shrub form)
Cotoneaster
Dogwood (shrub varieties)
Elderberry
False Cypress (Chamaecyparis)
Forsythia
Fothergilla
Globe Arborvitae
Groundcover Juniper
Heavenly Blue Holly
Highbush Blueberry
Hinoki Cypress
Hydrangea (arborescens)
Hydrangea (macrophylla, including ‘Endless Summer’)
Hydrangea (oakleaf)
Hydrangea (paniculata)
Inkberry Holly
Japanese Maple (dwarf forms)
Juniper (compact landscape varieties)
Juniper (shrub varieties)
Kerria
Leucothoe
Lilac
Lowbush Blueberry
Mountain Laurel
Mugo Pine
Ninebark
Norway Spruce
Pieris (Andromeda)
Potentilla / Shrubby Cinquefoil
Privet
Red & Yellow Twig Dogwood
Rhododendron
Rugosa Rose
Serviceberry (shrub form)
Shrub Roses (Knock Out series & Rugosa)
Shrubby Cinquefoil
Smokebush
Spirea (japonica varieties)
Spirea (ornamental cultivars – ‘Goldmound,’ ‘Goldflame,’ ‘Little Princess’)
Stewartstonian Azalea
Summersweet (Clethra)
Sweetspire (Itea)
Sweetspire ‘Little Henry’
Viburnum (ornamental varieties)
Viburnum (spring varieties)
Weigela
Witch Hazel
Yew
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Meet the Experts Behind Expert Pruning
Expert Pruning is led by a Master Gardener with over 25 years of horticultural experience serving Seacoast NH and Southern Maine. Our team represents more than 100 combined years of expertise in horticulture, landscape design, and professional estate management throughout the Portsmouth Area and surrounding communities.
We follow a plant-first pruning philosophy — every cut prioritizes the plant’s health, structure, and long-term vitality. Thoughtful, precise pruning keeps your landscape beautiful, resilient, and always pruned with the season, not against it.
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Lilacs are one of the most cherished shrubs across Seacoast NH and Southern Maine. Hardy in our coastal climate and the official state flower of New Hampshire, they are part of the region’s spring tradition. Proper pruning protects both bloom and structure, ensuring these heirloom shrubs continue to thrive from the Portsmouth Area to Dover and Durham.
When to Prune
Prune lilacs immediately after flowering, typically late May into early June. Lilacs form next year’s buds shortly after blooming. Pruning in summer, fall, or winter removes those buds and is the most common reason plants fail to flower.
How to Prune
Remove dead or crossing branches first. Each year, cut one or two of the oldest stems at ground level to encourage new growth. Thin the interior to improve airflow and avoid shearing across the top. Lilacs respond best to selective thinning, not heavy shaping.
Common Mistake
Cutting too late in the season. If you trim after early summer, you sacrifice next spring’s blooms.
For seasonal timing across all shrubs, visit our Seacoast Gardener Pruning Calendar.
Need help pruning your lilac? Call Seacoast Gardener at (603) 770-5072.
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Forsythia is one of the earliest signs of spring across Seacoast NH and Southern Maine. Its bright yellow blooms light up landscapes from the Portsmouth Area to North Hampton and Exeter before most shrubs have even leafed out. Proper pruning protects that dramatic early display and keeps the shrub from becoming woody or overgrown.
When to Prune
Prune forsythia immediately after flowering, usually late April into May in Seacoast NH. Forsythia blooms on old wood, meaning it sets next year’s flower buds shortly after blooming. Pruning in summer, fall, or winter removes those buds and reduces next spring’s flowers.
How to Prune
Start by removing dead or damaged stems. Each year, cut one to three of the oldest stems down to ground level to encourage fresh, vigorous growth. Thin crowded interior branches to maintain an open structure and avoid shearing across the top. Forsythia responds best to renewal pruning rather than tight shaping.
Common Mistake
Pruning in fall or winter. Cutting at the wrong time removes the very stems that carry spring color.
For seasonal timing across all shrubs, visit our Seacoast Gardener Pruning Calendar.
Need help pruning your forsythia? Call Seacoast Gardener at (603) 770-5072.
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