Plants to prune right now for 'prolific' flowering in your garden during spring
Plants to prune right now for 'prolific' flowering in your garden during spring
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Pruning is a crucial task all year round, ensuring that plants, flowers and trees stay in tip-top shape. But knowing what to prune each month can be a bit of a puzzle, so the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has offered some guidance on a few plants that need a trim. First up is the hydrangea. Many summer-flowering deciduous shrubs should be pruned between February and March, particularly those that bloom on the current year's growth, like the hydrangea paniculata. The RHS advises: "Although the only essential work is to remove dead wood in spring, these species will provide prolific flowering when pruned back annually to a framework of branches.".
They add: "Each spring, cut back last year's stems to a pair of healthy buds to maintain a permanent framework." For larger flower panicles on strong, upright branches, they recommend a hard prune to the lowest pair of healthy buds, creating a low framework of branches. This typically results in a pruned framework no more than 25cm high, but if you want more height, cut to about 60cm tall, reports the Express.
Next is the Buddleja davidii, a large, fast-growing shrub known for its fragrant purple flowers, making it a garden favourite. Pruning between February and March is perfect for this plant as it allows new growth to mature and flower within the same year. The RHS warns against winter pruning for this plant, as it could lead to frost damage of new shoots, so always check when the last frost is expected in your area.
The green-fingered gurus have spoken, offering sage advice for those looking to keep their gardens blooming. As spring approaches, they recommend a timely trim: "In early to mid-spring cut back on the previous year's flowering stems to within one or two buds of the older woody framework. Also remove any thin, weak or dead growth.". When it comes to roses, particularly climbers, pruning is key to ensuring a robust and floriferous season. The optimal window for wielding your secateurs is between December and February, so best to tackle this task sooner rather than later.
