Pruning month
It’s important to prune young shrubs right from the outset, so they establish well and form a sturdy framework of stems. David Hurrion shows you how with a simple stepby-step guide
All you need to know about pruning young shrubs
Before the autumn and winter storms arrive, thin out weak and congested stems on young, recently planted shrubs to reduce the ‘sail’ effect of their top growth. Buffeting by strong winds can loosen and break their roots, or even blow plants over if they’re not yet well rooted. It’s also time to finish pruning spring-blooming shrubs if you didn’t get round to it straight after flowering. Cut out only the oldest stems, leaving those produced this year to carry flowers next season. With the leaves still hanging on to deciduous shrubs, you can better judge the shape and health of the plant. If you want to enjoy a shrub’s autumn foliage, then prune just after leaf fall. However, don’t prune less hardy shrubs, such as abutilons, escallonia and olearia – or most evergreens – at this time. Cutting them back may allow frost to penetrate the crown of the plant or encourage a late flush of vulnerable growth. Coming up: Getting trees and shrubs into shape in autumn