Prune now for a lush summer garden

Spring is the perfect time to dust off your shears and give your outdoor plants the attention they need to thrive through the summer months.

Prune hydrangeas and roses early

Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood can be pruned in early to mid-spring, advises Gardening expert Jon VanZile. Cut them back to right above a set of leaf nodes to promote healthy growth and more blooms. Don't prune hydrangeas that bloom on old wood until after they've finished flowering, or you'll cut off this year's blooms.

Roses benefit from frequent pruning, especially as the warm weather sets in. Prune them in early spring when buds swell by removing any dead, weak, or crossing canes. Regular feedings with a mild fertilizer every three to four weeks can also improve the quality of your blooms throughout the season.

Trim butterfly bushes and russian sage

Butterfly bushes, also known as buddleia, should be cut down by six to 12 inches in the spring to encourage a compact shape and better flowering later in the year. Russian sage, on the other hand, can be trimmed down to a height of six to 12 inches before new growth begins to emerge in early June.