TRIM WINTER HEATHERS

WINTER and early spring-flowering heathers have been blooming for half a year by now and will benefit from light pruning. But do not tackle summer varieties. To ensure plenty of flowers next winter, trim heathers back, cutting just below any dead flowers or seed capsules. Don’t cut right down to bare wood. As you work, trim the plants to create attractively shaped mounds. Old-fashioned one-handed sheep shears or small hedging shears are ideal for this job.