Gardeners have been urged to complete one crucial task in August before it is too late. Pruning is important at this time of year in order to encourage more growth, maintain plants’ shape and remove any diseased or damaged parts. Lavender, hydrangeas, wisteria, roses and apple and pear trees should be on the radar of those of us with green fingers this month, experts say, who have also recommended to trim hebes. It is advised to use clean, sharp secateurs, loppers or pruning saws to make clean cuts in vegetation that will ensure healing.
When pruning, it is important to cut just above a bud, angling the cut away from it to allow rainwater to run off. One should also not over-prune, and remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches, but avoid taking off too much at once, especially when it comes to older or neglected plants. Gardeners should be aware that different plants have differing pruning needs, so it is worthwhile to research their specific needs before pruning.
In addition, between March and August, pruning hedges or shrubs should be limited as this is the time of year when birds are nesting.
Garden expert Richard Barker told Country Living that lavender, when left alone, can become woody, so it “will need to be pruned in late summer after flowering has finished to keep the plant compact”.
Regarding climbing hydrangea, he suggested that it “should be pruned after it has finished flowering, as this will ensure that the plant has enough time to develop flowering wood for the following year, as it produces flowers on the previous year’s shoots”.
Wisteria should be pruned twice a year, once in July or August, and then again in January or February, the commercial director at LBS Horticulture also said.
Meanwhile, only rambling roses should be pruned in the summer after they have produced flowers and hips.
“Although pruning can be carried out in August,” Mr Barker added, “it can be performed at any point up until late autumn or winter when it will be easier to see what you are doing as the rose is not in leaf.”
Finally, he said that apple and pear trees that are trained as restricted forms “can be pruned in summer, with standard or bush varieties best pruned in winter”.
The specialist added: “The plant will be ready to prune when the bottom third of its new shoots are stiff and woody, with pears ready before apples.”
One person wrote on Reddit that “many things can be rejuvenated with a severe pruning”, but caveated this advice by suggesting that Brits should make sure they look up each species to “make sure”.
They added: “With some flowering ornamentals heavier pruning may reduce flowering next year but will return the following years.
“Several of the things in this bed are not well suited for foundation plantings due to their growth habit and you are going to have to be strong and consistent with your pruning.
“The whole thing looks overcrowded and I would consider removing some of it to open it up if the pruning does not bring the desired result.
“Or, if you have the room, expand the bed size, move some of the larger pieces around and get some room in there.”
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