Other plants to prune now

This is the time for keeping plants in check, particularly shrubs and climbers. This includes some tender plants, to get things started and give them a long season to build up some flowers.

HONEYSUCKLE Any large and unruly Lonicera can be cut back hard now, so that it can re-sprout and grow with a little more grace.

BRUGMANSIA This tender shrub will be safely indoors now – prune into shape to promote new growth that will carry flowers in summer.

CAMPSIS Cut back this vigorous climber to a neat framework. This promotes flowering and stops it getting too large, as it is keen to do.

SAMBUCUS Cut back elders to encourage vigorous new growth. Young shoots of decorativeleaved types look particularly good after pruning.