Trees & Shrubs for Blooms on New Growth

Woody plants that form flower buds in the fall and bloom in spring may cheer our hearts with their early flowering, but their tender buds must survive the vicissitudes of winter first. Extremely cold temperatures, a sudden cold snap as spring warmth causes buds to swell, browsing deer with a winter diet of woody twigs, or untimely pruning, all put these buds at risk. Plants that bloom on the season’s new growth may bloom later, but they avoid those pitfalls. Once vigorous growth gets going in spring, these plants form flower buds that never have to survive winter. They can be pruned in late winter or early spring without jeopardizing flower production.