If you're dying to get out in the garden no matter the weather, then the prospect of winter pruning will thrill you. If you thought you were finally getting a break from gardening chores then well, not so much. But late winter is the ideal time to prune most woody ornamentals, as the branch structure is clearly visible, and plants will suffer less damage than if pruned in late summer or fall. There are exceptions, though, as pruning some species now will remove overwintering flower buds and leave you sorely disappointed come springtime. Whether you're needing some major renovation on those overgrown shrubs, or just want to tidy up a few errant twigs and sprigs, it's a good idea to know what's what. Here’s a list of what to prune now, and some general tips on why, what, and how you should be pruning: