Large sage bush varieties (Salvia spp.) Require little water, fertilizer or care to prosper, but they don’t reap occasional pruning. Whether you are pruning to maintain size, prepare the bush for the winter or to help it recover from winter damage, it is important not to cut it back too far. Sage plants are extremely sturdy but over-pruning can result in an ugly plant that’s slow to recover.

Fall Pruning

Pruning lightly in autumn could help prepare sage bushes to your winter. In mild climates, many sage varieties are evergreen, therefore that they do not need heavy autumn pruning. Trim off dead flower stalks and cut back any badly overgrown or damaged stems and branches. Heavy pruning in autumn can encourage a flush of new growth, which can be easily damaged from winter cold, so it is ideal to prune lightly at this time. Eliminate the pruning waste from round the sage bush, otherwise pests may nest in it overwinter.

Winter Cleanup

Sage bushes endure heavier pruning in mid to late winter while they continue to be in a semi-dormant state instead of actively putting on new growth. Cut out all winter-damaged branches back to your nearest healthy wood. Also remove any branches which are crossed and rubbing with each other to stop further damage. If you’re pleased with the size of the bush, you don’t have to cut back any branches seriously, although you can trim back overgrown branches to maintain the form of the sage.

Rejuvenation Pruning

Overly large or badly overgrown sage bushes may necessitate rejuvenation pruning in late winter, just as new growth is beginning and the leaf buds are starting to swell. Most sage varieties can tolerate heavy pruning, so you can cut back the bush by around one-third of its stature. If the branches are crowded and dense, you may also lean out the inside and eliminate up to one-third of those branches completely to allow more air circulation throughout the bush.

Damaged Plants

Sage plants which suffer serious winter damage will need heavy duty to survive and look their best. Wait until new growth starts so you can accurately determine the size of the damage. Remove all damaged and dead wood to the nearest healthy wood. Even though it’s far better to eliminate no more than one-third of this bush, if it’s badly damaged you might want to cut it back to within 12 to 18 inches of the ground. It can take up to 2 years to get a sage bush to recover from heavy pruning subsequent winter damage.

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