Gardeners urged to never prune 5 plants in autumn or risk ruining next year’s garden

As the days get shorter and leaves begin to fall, many gardeners start tidying up their outdoor spaces for winter. Pruning is often at the top of the list, but cutting back certain plants in autumn can do more harm than good. While some shrubs benefit from a trim before winter sets in, others need to be left alone until spring. Pruning at the wrong time can damage the plant, reduce flowering, and even prevent it from blooming at all next year.

Many gardeners don’t realise that by reaching for the shears too soon, they could be removing flower buds that are already starting to form for the following season. To help avoid costly mistakes, experts have warned against pruning five popular garden plants during autumn, or risk ruining next year’s display.

Both of these colourful shrubs bloom in spring, but their flower buds begin developing in late summer and autumn. 

Cutting them back too early can wipe out next year’s flowers. 

Morris Hankinson, the Managing Director of Hopes Grove Nurseries, told Ideal Home: “By pruning in autumn you are likely to remove next year’s flower buds, which will leave you with little to no blooms come spring. 

“The best time to prune spring-flowering shrubs is late spring, immediately after they have finished flowering.”

If you’re tempted to tidy up your apple, plum or pear tree now, it’s best to wait. 

Autumn pruning can cause the tree to send out tender new growth just before the cold sets in.

Tony Williams, the Estates Manager at Mount Ephraim Gardens, said: “Fruit trees including apple, peach, cherry, plum, and pear should also be spared from November pruning, as it can stimulate new growth vulnerable to frost, which can weaken the tree and reduce fruit production the following year.”

Pruning roses too early can leave them vulnerable to frost and weaken their structure.

Instead, gardeners are advised to wait until late winter or early spring.

Tony said: “Roses including hybrid tea, floribunda, and climbing roses produce tender new growth in response to pruning, which can be easily damaged by freezing temperatures.”

These popular flowering shrubs often set their buds on old wood, which means trimming them in autumn can cut off next year’s flowers.

Tony explained: “Hydrangeas, especially big leaf varieties like the Oak leaf Hydrangea, set buds on old wood, meaning they form next year’s flower buds in late summer. 

November pruning can remove these buds and reduce blooming.”

Known for its bright yellow spring flowers, forsythia also needs to be pruned at the right time to ensure it blooms well.

Experts say the best time to prune is right after flowering in spring. 

Pruning in autumn can reduce the number of flowers you’ll get the following year.

Gardeners are always advised to double-check the needs of each plant before pruning, and if in doubt, wait until after the last frost.