There's a simple rule of thumb for flowering shrubs: cut back most shrubs immediately after they bloom. This works for most shrubs and saves you from accidentally cutting of buds.

I live in Virginia and prune my apple trees in February before they break dormancy. I always prune when there are no leaves on the trees so I can see the shape and cut any water sprouts (those twig things that stick straight up from the branch) and trim back extra branches to get that nice "ladder" shape that produces the best apples.

I prefer cutting most of them back in the fall once the frost has killed the leaves. I leave Echinacea (purple coneflower) both because I like the way it looks in the winter and because the birds eat the seeds. My reasoning for cleaning up the dead leaves and cutting back my other perennials is that I want to prevent insects from overwintering under the dead leaves. I also have a lot of problems with fungal diseases in my Virginia garden, and rotting leaves lets the spores overwinter for diseases, too. Cleaning it up prevents a lot of problems.

I simply mulch around the bushes. I cut back or prune a little in early winter, then leave them alone.

Fall or spring are the best times to plant shrubs. I prefer early spring, but the ground can be hard depending on where you live. Fall is also a good time. The ground is soft enough to plant the shrubs, there's still time for the plant to build its roots before it goes dormant and in many areas there is still plenty of rain.

They should recover but may not bloom next year. The flowers may have been cut off since this plant makes next year's flowers right after it finishes blooming.

They may also return in the spring. If the roots are strong enough, you never know.

Plant it at surface level (where the crown meets the roots) in a large pot; place it in a sunny windowsill, water well, and enjoy. Pineapples are fun to grow and if you are lucky it will bloom!

Myth, don't do it.

Penny violas should be fine outside. The gardenia, lemon tree and hibiscus should come inside. Put them near a bright sunny window for the winter and water them when the soil feels dry. I'd put a pan or something under them to catch any water drips and rinse them with the hose outside before bringing them in to knock off any bugs.

I bring mine indoors. I put them on a folding table in front of a bright, sunny window and water them less.

Yes, it's a good idea to dump all the old soil. First, it's probably spent -- the nutrients are less as your plants grew during the summer. Second, insects can overwinter in the soil or lay their eggs in the soil and then you can have a problem with them in the spring.