An early spring cut back is perfect for so many of our favourite shrubs. Here’s a quick guide
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Pruning keeps plants healthy and compact. Using clean, sharp secateurs or loppers, prune just above a healthy bud or to the base of the plant. Sprinkle seaweed feed around the base of the plant after pruning, and mulch with leafmould or compost.
Viburnum bodnantense, Lonicera fragrantissima,
L. purpusii, ribes and forsythia can all be pruned after flowering. New growth can then form and ripen, ready to bloom next winter or spring.
Late-summer flowering shrubs: Hardy fuchsias, buddleja and perovskia can be cut right back to encourage a burst of new growth. They’ll flower on these new stems this summer.
Colourful winter stems: Prune cornus, salix and rubus now to encourage vibrant new growth next winter – see how to do it on p27.
H. paniculata and H. arborescens ‘Annabelle’ both bloom on new growth. Cut back all last year’s stems hard to encourage strong new growth and late summer flowers. Prune shrubby H. macrophylla more lightly – back to a pair of buds just beneath the old flowerhead.
C. tangutica, C. viticella and C. orientalis all belong to Group 3. Work up from the base until you find the first healthy bud about 15cm (6in) above ground and cut away the top growth. Repeat with all the other stems.
Cut back miscanthus and older clumps of Stipa tenuissima just as the new shoots appear. If your stipa isn’t too congested, just comb through with your fingers. Hydrangeas: Winter/spring-flowering shrubs: Late-flowering clematis: Deciduous grasses: