MONTY DON

From winter honeysuckle to viburnums and mahonias

– our expert celebrates the fragrant blossoms that choose winter to show off their beauty

Q

When is the best time to trim my two-year-old lemon tree? It has about ten ripe lemons on it.

Diana Stone, Suffolk

A

Lemons can be pruned hard in spring, and a young tree like yours should be pruned to a good shape early. Aim to have plenty of space between the branches to allow light and air in. Remove the fruit when ripe, as these will inhibit new growth and flower formation, and feed weekly with liquid seaweed or a tomato feed.

Q

My box hedging is too high and wide. When is the best time to prune it? Alan Leonard, West Sussex

A

In spring, as it’s beginning to show new signs of growth. Box can be cut back as hard as you like. If the hedge is substantial, make this a two-stage process, over a couple of years. Cut back one side of the hedge right to the stem, and do the other side in a year or two.

Q

When is it best to cut back a magnolia tree? It distresses them, but it is necessary.

Anne Simpson, C. Durham

A

Large magnolias dislike being pruned, but the best time is early to mid-summer, after flowering. Do as little as possible, and spread it across two years.

Write to Monty Don at Weekend, Daily Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT or email monty.don@dailymail.co.uk. Please include your full name and address. We regret Monty can’t reply to letters personally.