Pruning for the best flowers
Woody shrubs need yearly pruning to remove portions of the oldest branches and stems. Left unpruned they’ll become a tangle of unproductive growth with fewer, small flowers held high on the tips. While vigorous summerflowering growers, such as buddleia, lavatera and some clematis, will have been already cut back almost to ground level, there are a number of other species that benefit from more considered pruning this month. This involves identifying the youngest stems – generally those less than three years old – and leaving these to carry the blooms in the coming year. Of these, only the thickest and most vigorous will give the largest flowers; thin, twiggy growth at the base of the shrub is less likely to bloom and is best removed now so that all the plant’s sap is channelled more profitably. With the old wood and weakest stems removed, you can focus on the shape of the shrub, opening up the centre of the bush by removing any congested stems that will jostle together and stop them developing to their full potential. This will also allow air to circulate through the plant as it grows, reducing the risk of disease in summer. And lastly, with the most vigorous, best placed stems remaining, ‘tip’ back those that still have last year’s dead flowers on by cutting off the top fifth of their height to just above a bud or node.
DO IT now
1 CHECK THE SHAPE of the shrub and identify the flowered stems and the new vigorous growth that is coming from low down on the plant
Thin, twiggy growth at the base of the shrub is less likely to bloom and is best removed now to increase productivity
2 USE SECATEURS to remove three to four of the oldest, most branched stems, cutting them down to the base. These are less likely to give good sized blooms compared to the younger stems.
3 CUT BACK the tallest two- to three-year- old stems, pruning back to a strong shoot or just above a pair of buds. This will help to stop the plant becoming top heavy when in flower.
4 REMOVE thin twiggy growth from the base of the shrub so that all the plant’s energy goes into strong stems that will carry the blooms.
5 DEADHEAD ANY remaining dried out blooms (they’ve served their purpose of protecting new buds over winter). Cut back to the first strong, healthy pair of buds below the faded bloom.