February

Before the weather begins to warm and spring growth begins is a good time to trim summer blooming shrubs such as vitex, knockout roses, abelia, and butterfly bush.
Do not trim oakleaf or bigleaf hydrangeas- although the stems may look dead they hold the coming seasons flower buds.
- Learn more about pruning trees and shrubs.
Prune shade trees and shrubs to remove broken and crossing branches.
Avoid over pruning crape myrtles – instead of cutting off their tops, simply remove crossing or broken branches, and old seed pods.
- Learn more about pruning crape myrtle.
Late winter is good time to propagate deciduous trees and shrubs from hardwood cuttings.
- Learn more about propagating plants from cuttings.
- For specific instructions on propagating hardwood cuttings,visit this blog
Shrubs in our area that are in bloom or have interesting fruit, bark or foliage during this month include:
- Chimonanthus Wintersweet
- Abeliophyllum distichum White Forsythia
- Spirea
- Hamamelis Witch-hazel: