Winter

STATE OF GROWTH

Deciduous shrubs, bushes and trees have woody, bare stems. The oldest wood is dark brown or grey in colour. The youngest growth is bright yellow, orange, red or russet or covered in a white waxy or downy coating. Evergreens will retain their foliage, but make little or no growth.

Why prune in winter?

Promotes vigorous regrowth in spring. This is useful for rejuvenating overgrown specimens and for encouraging juvenile growth for particular effects (vibrant stems or large leaves).

What to prune

Coloured-stemmed shrubs: dogwoods, willow and rubus (white-stemmed bramble) – cut them back hard at the end of winter. Roses: shrub roses, large- and cluster-flowered hybrid varieties and climbing types, in late winter when the worst frosts have ended. Trees: remove large branches of ornamental and fruiting trees when you can see their structure clearly.