Be careful pruning your spring bloomers this time of year

Gardeners are being advised to avoid pruning some spring-blooming plants at this time of year, particularly species that rely on separate male and female plants for pollination. Eastern Baccharis shrubs, for example, produce fluffy white seedheads on female plants only after pollen from male plants reaches them. Holly also has distinct male and female plants. Pruning at the wrong time can remove flowers and reduce fruit or berry production.