Many ornamental shrubs and trees can be allowed to grow without regular pruning, but giving them a trim when needed can be beneficial.
Pruning benefits include removing dead or unsightly growth, increasing vigour, improving the shape of the plant and encouraging it to flower.
Each plant will need other be pruned at different times of the year, so make sure you check when the best time to get the secateurs out is.
Pruning trees
The experts at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) said: “Remove the three D’s when pruning trees.
“Start by removing dead, diseased and damaged branches, followed by weak or lax growth. Remove branches rubbing together, as this could create an entry point for disease.
“Prune branches less than 2.5cm in diameter, with secateurs or loppers, cutting above a healthy bud, pair of buds or side shoot.
“Avoid cutting too close to the bud as this can cause it to die, or too far from the bud, as this can result in dieback of the stub which could spread into healthy wood.”
When branches thicker than 2.5cm in diameter need pruning, it’s best to remove them completely rather than leaving a stub behind.
Many deciduous trees are pruned in winter when they’re dormant, while evergreen trees can be pruned between April and August.
Pruning climbers and wall shrubs
Knowing how to keep climbers and wall shrubs in shape can help prevent them from becoming a bushy or straggly mess.
The experts said: “In general, plants that flower on the previous season’s growth are pruned immediately after flowering. These plants often flower in winter, spring or early summer.
“Plants that flower on the current season’s growth are often pruned in late winter or early spring.
“These plants usually fall in mid-to-late summer, or in autumn.”
Although pruning depends on the individual needs of the plant, some tasks are very similar, according to gardening experts.
Make sure to tie in new growth to fill the allotted space as well as tying in side shoots to fill gaps.
Gardeners should make sure to prune back overlong shoots and remove dead shoots in the process.
Pruning roses
Rose pruning is extremely important as it helps to ensure that the plant grows vigorously and flower well each year.
If left, climbing roses can become a tangled mess of branches with very few flowers, and now is a great time to prune them.
The experts explained: “First remove dead, diseased or dying branches and then tie in any new shoots needed to fill supports.
“Prune any flowered side shoots back by two-thirds of their length. If the plant is heavily congested, cut out any really old branches from the base to promote new growth.”
