Small boxwood, dwarf holly, and other evergreen shrubs in pots look like they could handle a little winter shaping, but they really can’t.
Pruning in December exposes their tender inner growth to the cold. Save the real shaping for spring, or give them a tiny touch-up after their first summer flush.
4: Healthy plants
If a potted plant still looks green and firm, leave it alone. Healthy winter growth is doing its job. Not every container plant needs a December haircut, some are perfectly happy as they are.
Mulching can be a huge help (or a big mistake) depending on the plant, so I put together a list of which ones actually benefit from a winter mulch layer.
Snip, Sip, and Call It a Day
With your containers cleaned up, you’ve officially earned a warm drink and absolutely no more outdoor chores for the moment. Let the plants rest, let yourself rest, and we’ll meet them all again when the first green shoots return.
