When to prune

Get started with the following guide, but do further research to check the specific needs of your plants, including the frequency of pruning needed.

LATE WINTER

Most roses: cut to an outward-facing bud to achieve an open-centred form. Late-summer and autumn-flowering climbers: prune when the buds begin to swell.

SPRING

Late-winter- and springflowering climbers: trim lightly after blooming at end of season. Late-summer-flowering shrubs: can be cut back hard in early spring (only those that flower on the current season’s growth, such as buddleias). Winter-flowering shrubs: prune early spring to get good shape. Shrubs with colourful stems, eg dogwood: prune hard when new foliage begins to show in early March. Woody perennials: any left for overwintering birds and invertebrates can now be tidied.

SUMMER

Evergreens: require little more than cutting out any dead, diseased or damaged wood. Rambling and climbing roses: trim to stop them taking up too much space. Members of the prunus family: pruning helps to prevent silver leaf disease, which is windborne from the end of autumn to spring.

Birch and magnolias: prune in late summer rather than in winter, when they are likely to bleed sap heavily (see page 34).

AUTUMN

Most deciduous shrubs and trees: prune lightly in autumn or winter. Herbaceous perennials: cut back by removing dead flower stalks.

Woody perennials: ideally, leave the types with good seedheads (as food for birds) and hollow stems (these provide homes for hibernating insects) until spring. Currants and berries: prune and thin out.