Q: Is it too late to prune my lorapetalums?

A: The rule of thumb is to prune spring-flowering shrubs right after they bloom. If you prune loropetalums now, you’ll be cutting off all the buds that explode in pink profusion in March. But if yours is huge and you just have to make it smaller, January is the best time. When spring comes, new growth will cover all of the stubs your pruner left.