Don’t prune these now

AUCUBA Leave female spotted laurel plants unpruned, as the berries will look good all winter. Male, non-fruiting plants can be pruned now though.

CHAENOMELES Pruning ornamental quinces now will remove the early flower buds. These will open very early in spring and go on to produce fruit.

BOX HEDGING Take care not to prune any evergreen hedging now, including yew and laurel, for fear of frost damage over the coming months. These are best pruned from May onwards.

EARLY FLOWERING (GROUP 1) CLEMATIS Species including armandii, cirrhosa, alpina and montana should be pruned in spring, straight after flowering and once all risk of frosts has passed.

Prune male spotted laurels now, but not females, which carry vivid red berries in winter