Fall isn’t the best time to prune many shrubs because you risk removing the buds that will develop into next year’s blooms.

Q. Some of my roses are messy and in need of pruning. Can I prune them now? There are climbers as well as bush roses.

There is a mix of perennials and shrubs that should not be pruned before winter. Keep in mind that any pruning on a plant encourages growth. Pruning stimulates a growth hormone called an auxin. If ...