Monty Don has shared over 10 gardening jobs to be getting on with this month – and one of them involves pruning. Pruning is a crucial gardening task that should be undertaken monthly for plants to stay healthy and attractive, but proper execution and timing are key.
Knowing precisely when and how to cut, like maintaining the correct angles and lengths, is vital to maximise a plant’s vigour and beauty by removing dead, diseased, or damaged parts. If you’re unsure about what to prune in May, fret not, as gardening expert Monty Don has laid out the tasks for this month in his latest guide. This month differs from previous ones as he highlights just one plant: the early-flowering clematis. Monty advised pruning them at this time for optimal blooms.
Clematis, one of the most beloved climbers offering splendid variety, can add versatility and spectacular visuals to any garden space.
Monty advised: “The best time to prune early-flowering clematis such as c.montana, armandii, alpina and macropetala, is immediately after they finish flowering.”
Despite timing differences across regions, the fundamental principle remains the same, and for many gardeners, “this occurs at the end of May”.
Next year’s blooms are set on the fresh growth from now until late summer, so “if you prune them much later”, you’re “removing potential flowers that would bloom next spring”.
For older plants needing a new lease of life, cutting stems almost to the ground can work wonders, but it’s a drastic measure best saved for dire situations and not to be done more than once every three years.
The specialist pointed out that pruning these clematis is about keeping them manageable for your ease as well as for the plant’s health.
Gardeners should feel free to trim without fussing over each stem or where to snip.
After tidying up, it’s wise to clear any weeds around the base, give the plant a good drink, and top it off with a hearty layer of garden compost or bark chippings.
By digging compost into the soil, it improves soil texture and nutritional quality. Alternatively, you can use compost as mulch around plants can help to retain moisture.
