March is the most popular time of year for Britons to start new gardening projects. But before embarking on new projects, gardeners should ensure they get the basics right which includes pruning.
While it may still be cold and miserable outside, now is the perfect time to prepare your gardens for summer.
Craig Wilson, co-founder, director and in-house gardening expert at Gardeners Dream has shared which plants need to be pruned before spring to encourage new growth.
He said: “Late winter is an ideal time to prune. Not only does it make things look a bit tidier, but it also encourages new growth, culminating in better blooms come summer.
“You’ll want to look at pruning plants such as wisteria, roses, hydrangeas, clematis and fruit trees.
“To do this, cut back last year’s growth by about two-thirds, making sure to remove any damaged, weakened or diseased branches.”
Plants to prune in March:
Wisteria
Wisteria can be pruned back in February or March as well as in July or August.
When pruning in summer, simply cut back the young shoots to keep the plant’s size in check. If you’re pruning your wisteria now, reduce each shoot to just two buds.
Roses
The gardening at Hayter mowers for their unique insight said March is the perfect time to prune roses and rose bushes.
Pruning them in March will improve their appearance and their energy later on in the season.
The experts said: “The further back you cut your English shrub roses, the leafier they’ll grow back – a look which is desirable in your summer garden.
“It’s key to remember that the hardest cutbacks produce the strongest growth, as well as remembering to cut closely positioned stems.”
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas need to be pruned in February or March so the plant can grow strong new stems for summer.
The plant will produce beautiful, large blooms on their new stems from mid to late summer.
Annually pruning hydrangeas encourages the plants to produce new growth and a better display of blooms, according to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
Clematis
Last year’s growth needs to be removed from your clematis in March.
Simply cut back the plant by 25 to 30cm above ground level. Regularly pruning this plant encourages strong growth and flowering later on.
Fruit trees
Fruit trees such as pear and apple trees should be pruned between November and early March when they are dormant.
When pruning fruit trees, remember to keep the structure of the tree open and the crown goblet-shaped to allow light to reach all parts of the tree.
Pruning should be done after all the leaves have fallen from the trees and before they start growing again.
