March marks the turning point between winter and spring, and for gardeners, that means it’s time to grab the pruning shears.
As plants begin waking up from dormancy, some benefit from an early trim to encourage fresh growth, improve their shape, and ensure a season full of blooms and fruit.
Pruning at the right time is just as important as pruning itself—cutting too early or too late can reduce flowers, weaken plants, or even cause damage.
March is the perfect time to prune certain trees, shrubs, and perennials before new growth takes off.
If you’re wondering which plants need pruning this month, this guide will walk you through the key ones to focus on and how to do it the right way.
Roses
March is the perfect time to prune roses, especially if you want them to bloom beautifully in the months ahead.
After a long winter, rose bushes often have dead or damaged canes that need to be removed so the plant can focus on producing fresh growth.
Pruning in early spring ensures your roses stay strong, shapely, and full of flowers when the warm weather arrives.
The first step in pruning roses is knowing which type you have, as different varieties require different approaches.
Hybrid tea roses, floribunda roses, and grandiflora roses all benefit from a hard prune in March, cutting them back by about one-third to one-half of their height.
This encourages strong new stems and more abundant blooms.
Shrub roses, such as Knock Out roses, require lighter pruning to remove dead wood and thin out crowded areas.
Climbing roses should only be pruned to remove weak or damaged canes, as excessive cutting can reduce flowering.
When you’re ready to prune, start by using clean, sharp pruning shears.
Look for any dead, brown, or shriveled canes and cut them back to the base.
Next, remove any thin or weak stems that won’t support healthy growth.
For the remaining canes, make your cuts about a quarter-inch above an outward-facing bud at a 45-degree angle.
This encourages the plant to grow outward rather than inward, improving air circulation and reducing the risk of disease.
It’s also a good time to shape the plant, ensuring it has an open, balanced structure.
After pruning, remove all debris from around the base of the plant to prevent fungal infections.
Applying a slow-release rose fertilizer will give your plant the nutrients it needs to push out new growth.
Adding a layer of mulch helps retain moisture and keeps the soil temperature stable.
Pruning your roses in March may seem drastic, but it’s the best way to ensure a stunning display of blooms in the months to come.
With the right cuts now, your roses will reward you with stronger stems, healthier leaves, and vibrant flowers all season long.
Hydrangeas
Pruning hydrangeas in March is all about knowing which type you have.
Some hydrangeas bloom on old wood, meaning they set flower buds the previous summer, while others bloom on new wood, producing flowers on fresh spring growth.
Pruning at the wrong time can mean fewer blooms, so it’s important to get it right.
If you’re growing panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) or smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens), March is the perfect time to prune them.
These varieties bloom on new wood, so cutting them back now encourages stronger stems and bigger flowers.
Panicle hydrangeas, such as Limelight and Vanilla Strawberry, can be pruned by cutting back last year’s growth by about one-third.
This helps maintain a nice shape while ensuring strong stems to support large flower clusters.
Smooth hydrangeas, like Annabelle, can be pruned even more aggressively.
Some gardeners cut them back to about six inches above the ground, which results in larger blooms.
However, leaving about 12 to 18 inches of stem can help support the heavy flowers better.
If you have bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) or oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia), avoid heavy pruning in March.
These bloom on old wood, and cutting them now will remove the buds that were set last year, meaning fewer flowers.
Instead, wait until after they bloom in summer to prune lightly and shape the plant.
When pruning hydrangeas, use sharp, sterilized pruning shears to make clean cuts.
Remove any dead or weak stems, cutting them all the way back to the base.
For shaping, cut just above a healthy set of buds to encourage strong growth.
After pruning, apply a slow-release fertilizer formulated for hydrangeas to give the plant the nutrients it needs for the season.
Adding a fresh layer of mulch helps retain moisture and protects the roots from temperature fluctuations.
By pruning the right hydrangeas at the right time, you ensure healthy plants, stronger stems, and bigger, more beautiful blooms all summer long.
Apple Trees
March is one of the best times to prune apple trees because they are still dormant but on the verge of waking up for the growing season.
Pruning at this time helps shape the tree, improve airflow, and encourage better fruit production.
Without proper pruning, apple trees can become overcrowded, leading to weaker branches, fewer apples, and increased risk of disease.
If you want a bigger and healthier harvest, now is the time to grab your pruning shears.
The first step in pruning an apple tree is to remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches.
These can harbor pests and diseases that weaken the tree.
Cut these branches all the way back to their point of origin, making sure to use sharp, sterilized pruning tools to create clean cuts that heal quickly.
Next, focus on thinning out the canopy to allow better air circulation and sunlight penetration.
Look for branches that are crossing, rubbing against each other, or growing inward toward the center of the tree.
Removing these will open up the structure and help apples receive the sunlight they need to ripen properly.
Once the tree is thinned, it’s time to shape it.
Apple trees do best when pruned into a strong, open structure.
For young trees, the goal is to establish a well-balanced framework of branches that can support fruit production in the years ahead.
For mature trees, focus on maintaining this structure and removing any water sprouts—those fast-growing, vertical shoots that don’t produce fruit and steal energy from the tree.
After pruning, apply a balanced fruit tree fertilizer to give your apple tree the nutrients it needs for a productive season.
Spreading a fresh layer of mulch around the base will help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
With proper pruning in March, your apple tree will be stronger, healthier, and ready to produce a bountiful harvest later in the year.
Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses are a fantastic addition to the landscape, adding texture, movement, and year-round interest.
However, by the time March rolls around, most ornamental grasses are looking tired, with dried-out stalks left over from winter.
Cutting them back now is essential for encouraging fresh, new growth in spring.
If left untrimmed, old grass blades can smother new shoots, making the plant look messy and weak.
For warm-season ornamental grasses like miscanthus, fountain grass, and switchgrass, March is the ideal time for pruning.
These grasses grow actively in late spring and summer, so cutting them back now allows room for fresh shoots to emerge.
Use sharp shears or hedge trimmers to cut the grass down to about 4 to 6 inches above the ground.
For larger clumps, tying the stalks together with twine before cutting makes cleanup easier.
Cool-season grasses, such as feather reed grass and blue fescue, don’t require as much pruning.
Instead of cutting them all the way back, lightly trim any dead or damaged blades to make room for fresh spring growth.
Removing last year’s foliage ensures that new growth comes in lush and vibrant.
After pruning, apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer to encourage strong root development and healthy new shoots.
If your ornamental grasses have been in the same spot for several years and are starting to die out in the center, March is also a great time to divide them.
Dig up the plant, split it into smaller sections, and replant them in fresh soil.
This rejuvenates the grass and prevents overcrowding.
Cutting back ornamental grasses in March gives them the fresh start they need for a full, lush appearance throughout the growing season.
With just a little maintenance now, your landscape will be filled with healthy, flowing grasses that add beauty and movement all year long.
Coneflowers
Coneflowers (Echinacea) are a garden favorite, known for their bright, daisy-like flowers that attract pollinators and add color from summer to fall.
If you want your coneflowers to thrive and bloom beautifully this year, March is the perfect time to clean them up and prepare them for the growing season.
Winter can leave behind dead stems and spent flower heads, which need to be removed so new growth can emerge strong and healthy.
Pruning coneflowers in early spring helps prevent disease, encourages bushier plants, and improves the overall appearance of your garden.
The first step in pruning coneflowers is to remove all of last year’s dead stems.
During the fall and winter, many gardeners leave coneflower seed heads standing to provide food for birds.
By March, however, those stems are no longer useful and should be cut back.
Using a pair of sharp, clean pruning shears, trim the dead stalks down to about one to two inches above the ground.
Be careful not to cut into any new green growth that may already be emerging.
If you see small rosettes of leaves at the base of the plant, those are the beginnings of new stems that will grow and flower in the coming months.
While pruning, check the plant for any signs of disease or pest damage.
Coneflowers are generally hardy, but old stems can sometimes harbor mold, mildew, or insects.
Removing dead material early in the season prevents these problems from spreading.
Once pruning is complete, clear away the cuttings and any other debris around the plant to improve air circulation.
After pruning, consider adding a thin layer of compost or a balanced slow-release fertilizer around the base of the plant to give it a boost of nutrients.
Mulching lightly can also help retain moisture and protect the roots from temperature fluctuations as the weather shifts from winter to spring.
By giving your coneflowers a good cleanup in March, you’re setting them up for a season of strong, healthy growth.
With plenty of sunshine, water, and care, they’ll soon reward you with vibrant flowers that brighten up your garden and attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
Final Thoughts
Pruning the right plants in March is one of the best ways to set your garden up for success.
By cutting back roses, hydrangeas, apple trees, ornamental grasses, and coneflowers at the right time, you’re encouraging stronger growth, healthier plants, and more blooms throughout the season.
Taking the time to prune now ensures that your landscape will be lush, vibrant, and ready to flourish in the months ahead.