Pruning is a key gardening job in February as it improves plant health by letting in air and helps to boost flower production by getting rid of dead stems.
It’s also easier to see the branch structure more clearly at this time of year as plants won’t be fully in leaf.
However, it’s important to know which plants to prune. Pruning the wrong plants this month could have disastrous effects.
With this in mind, gardening specialists at Jacksons Nurseries have shared three common plants that need pruning now.
1. Rhododendrons
It’s not too late for gardeners to hard prune any established rhododendrons they have which have become untidy, outsized or are flowering less abundantly than they used to. Winter is a good time to do this as the plant will have the full season to regrow again.
Click here to join our Whatsapp community to be the first to receive the latest gardening tips
For those doing hard pruning, choose a frost-free day in February and cut back branches to a branch point, where dormant buds will send out new growth.
Interior branches that do not get any light can be removed to improve air circulation because they will eventually die. Cut out any diseased stems well below the diseased area and dispose of them.
The aim should be to maintain rhododendrons’ natural, low, mounding growth habit, creating a framework that allows for plenty of air circulation to minimise the risk of pests and diseases.
2. Early-flowering deciduous shrubs
The pros explained that annual pruning of early flowering deciduous shrubs this time of year helps to encourage “strong healthy growth and more prolific flowering” the following season.
Gardeners will only want to prune shrubs that they know have already finished flowering in February, which will be the late winter flowering shrubs.
Avoid pruning shrubs that will flower in March through to early summer until their flowering display in the current year is finished.
Pruning immediately after flowering gives maximum time for your plants to develop young growth which will produce flowers next year, before the end of this summer.
The aim is to create a balanced, open, airy goblet-shaped framework of branches allowing for plenty of air circulation through and around your plants.
3. Wisteria
Wisteria “needs regular pruning” to keep it in check and February is the “perfect time” to do this. A second prune later in the year is also recommended in late summer between July and August.
Pruning your wisteria will “improve their flowering display” and “prevent them winding their way into unwanted places” such as around lights, drains and into your windows.
To prune them, cut back whippy shoots to two to three buds of the leafless stems in February to keep them looking tidy before the growing season starts and to ensure foliage does not hide the spring flowers.
