Gardening - seasonal pruning tips

Winter

Prune Clematis, Buddleia and other climbers that flower on new growth in winter.

Spring

Prune flowering shrubs after they've flowered. Prune evergreens that are not in flower in may. Other evergreens can be pruned after flowering.

Summer

It's best to prune summer flowering shrubs between january and march, right before new growth starts.

Summer/Autumn

You can prune conifers in late summer/early autumn.

Autumn

Prune rambling roses in autumn. Untidy, flowered shoots can be cut to the base. New shoots can be tied to a trelis or other support. With new shoots, leave some that have flowered in place, cut them back a little bit.

Prune climbing roses in autumn. Reduce the height of the main stems by about one third and reduce thin shoots or shoots that cross over other more established shoots. Remove some side shoots that may spoil the shape and cut back the others by about two thirds.

Prune miniature roses in march. Cut out dead, diseased or thin wood then trim back the main stems to around one third.

Other quick tips

Forsythia, Roses, Holly and Berberis respond well to hard pruning.

Prune climbers that flower on the previous year's growth, e.g Forsythia and early flowering Jasmine after flowering.

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