Carol Klein explains the importance of judicious pruning
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With spring just days away, many Britons will be getting out into their gardens to start planting, pruning and tidying ready for the warmer months ahead. Pruning isn’t just a great way to tidy up your plants and garden, it also helps re-shape plants and remove dead, loose or infected stems.
Not all plants need pruning in spring. Some prefer to be pruned in summer and autumn.
With this in mind, the experts at Garden Street, a company that sells outdoor garden furniture add summer houses, have exclusively shared with Express.co.uk which plants to prune now and how to prune them.
The gardening experts said lavender buddleia, roses and hydrangeas need to be pruned in spring.
They said: “Many plants, such as lavender buddleia, should be pruned in spring to encourage growth.
“If left unpruned, plants, flowers and trees can become damaged and weakened over time.
“By pruning in spring, you can make sure the plants have a nice shape ahead of summer while removing any dead or diseased branches.”
The experts said the “best time” to prune roses is in February or March.
To properly prune roses, gardeners need to cut around 5mm above a bud in a sloped downward shape.
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Cutting at an angle prevents water from collecting on the bud and allows there to be more of a surface area for water to be taken into the flower.
Gardeners will need to make sure your secateurs are sharp so they can make a clean cut.
Hydrangeas can be found in most British gardens and are perfect for a pop of colour in late summer.
They are popular because of their beautiful colours which range from pale blue to pink and white.
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Hydrangeas can be pruned either in late winter or early spring to mid-spring.
However, climbing hydrangeas are best pruned in summer after they’ve flowered.
The gardening experts at Garden Street have shared how to prune hydrangea this spring.
They said: “In spring, cut back the stem to the first healthy pair of buds, removing any dead flower heads.
“However, leave any dead flower heads in winter, as this can provide protection against frost for the buds below.”
One plant that doesn’t need pruning in spring is wisteria. The beautiful climbing plant with lilac flowers needs pruning twice a year in July/August time and then in January or February.
The experts said: “The pruning in the summertime allows more sunlight to reach the young growths at the base which will encourage better growth.
“Cut back to two or three buds in the wintertime to prevent the flowers from being obscured ahead of the growing season.”
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