What to prune in spring?

DISCOVER THE PLANTS TO PRUNE IN SPRING…

For many gardeners, spring can be the busiest time of the year. Another seasonal change in temperature and outdoor conditions often leads to a surge in plant growth. Combine this with a mix of jobs around the garden. These range from soil preparation and sowing seeds to tasks like planting and when to prune in spring. Pruning in spring makes way for more growth and helps encourage flowers and foliage to flourish across a wide range of plants. Some spring-flowering shrubs flower on old branches. If left unpruned, they will force new growth only at the top of the shrub. Like all seasons, some hardy plants can withstand pruning while others need careful treatment. After pruning, mulch plants with a generous layer of garden compost or well-rotted manure to give them a boost.

Secateurs, loppers, folding pruning saws and pruning handsaws will enable you to tackle a wide variety of jobs. It’s essential to know which plants to prune in spring for optimal growth.

REMEMBER THOUGH… Not all plants are suitable for spring pruning. Some plants should be pruned in summer, while others are best left until autumn or winter. Check out our ‘what to prune in’ guides for other seasons.

Shrubs that flower on the previous season’s growth, such as forsythia and weigela, benefit from being cut back immediately after flowering. This keeps them in check. So remember to prune in spring for a healthy plant check-up.

Flowering shrubs that bloom in the summer, such as fuchsia and buddleja, should be cut back hard in spring. This encourages a burst of new growth from the base of the plant and plenty of flowers for the new season.

Mediterranean shrubs such as lavender can be pruned in early autumn when temperatures are still mild. Alternatively, prune in spring, after the harsh conditions of winter. If you live in a northern or eastern area it’s best to prune in spring. The old stems and flowers help protect new shoots from frost in winter. Other tender shrubs to prune in spring include cistus and rosemary.

Any herbaceous plants you didn’t cut back in autumn, including plants with decorative winter seedheads or stems, can be cut back in spring. These include sea hollies like thistles. Use secateurs to tidy them by removing seedheads, stems, and brown leaves. Pop them onto an open compost heap, rather than a closed one, in case insects are still using them for homes and safety. Prune in spring to ensure perennials thrive.

Encourage the growth of colourful winter stems by cutting plants such as dogwoods and willow back hard in early spring. Do the same with plants grown for their foliage, such as cotinus. Remember, colourful stems gain vibrancy from a spring prune.

Deciduous grasses, such as Miscanthus, that have withstood winter can be cut back hard from March. Remove all the brown growth, leaving any new green stems behind.

This What to Prune in Spring guide is intended to give information and advice only. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure necessary training and experience is achieved to use a pair of secateurs and pruning tools safely.