Several shrubs look rough after a snowy winter. Some still have green growth, while others have not leafed out. How should I decide whether to prune, wait, or replace them?
How can I tell if these shrubs made it through winter?
Asked by Marlow Vale
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If there’s still green growth, I wouldn’t write the shrub off yet. Remove clearly dead sections with clean pruning shears and give the surrounding healthy growth room to fill in. A damaged patch can take time to recover, so avoid cutting healthy parts just to make the shape look perfect right away.
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Timing matters. A shrub that is still bare well into the growing season is a stronger candidate for replacement than one with green shoots or healthy foliage elsewhere. If you’re unsure, you can prune out the dead-looking branches and watch for new growth rather than making the call based on its early spring appearance alone.
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Before replacing it, check what the shrub actually is and what conditions it needs. Plant names get mixed up, and the right replacement depends on things like your climate, sun exposure, preferred size, and how much upkeep you want. If snow regularly piles onto that spot, factor that in too.
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