Monty Don, best known for his role on BBC Gardeners’ World, has shared his top tips for pruning in autumn and winter, including the one plant he tends to cut back in October and November
Matt Davies Trendswatch Reporter
15:24, 16 Oct 2025
Monty Don revealed he has a “philosophy” when it comes to cutting back(Image: Getty)
Monty Don has identified one particular type of plant that he tends to prune during October and November, though he doesn’t “touch many of them again”. In a comprehensive article for BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine focusing on autumn and winter pruning, Monty disclosed he follows a specific “philosophy” when it comes to cutting back at his expansive Longmeadow garden.
His approach involves trimming the problematic plant if it “doesn’t look good” or needs “propping up” to preserve its appearance. Monty proceeded to outline his strategy for one particular type of plant.
He explained how he gives them a “quick clip” with the shears this month or next to eliminate excess growth, though it’s crucial to understand that this is all “many of them” will receive for the remainder of the year.
The expert wrote: “Our shrub roses get a quick clip with shears in October or November to remove any excess growth, and I don’t touch many of them again – that quick clip is all they get for the year.”
Monty described how he gives them a “quick clip” with the shears(Image: Getty)
He continued: “For any that have grown a bit leggy or are getting older, I will go over them with a pair of secateurs in February to remove some old growth. We also prune climbing roses in autumn or late winter, cutting back to a framework from which sideshoots will flower.”
Monty noted that it’s useful to identify if your roses flower on new or old growth so you can establish a “pruning regime”.
He pointed out that rambling roses bloom on old, meaning you won’t have flowers in the summer if you hard prune in February.
If you follow this, you’ll see healthy growth, but Monty emphasised that new flowers won’t appear. He then pointed out the types of roses that bloom on new growth.
He added: “Shrub roses, all hybrid tea roses, climbing roses and floribunda roses all flower on new growth, so can be pruned hard in March, and you’ll still get flowers in the summer.”
Monty noted that it’s useful to identify if your roses flower on new or old growth(Image: Getty)
In related news, Monty has also revealed when we should stop mowing the lawn before the cold winter months set in. According to him, it’s best to keep cutting the grass for “as long as it keeps growing”.
It’s also more beneficial to keep your grass “too long than too short” during winter. Monty suggested using a rake to remove any thatch and moss before adding it to your compost heap.
Speaking to Ideal Homes, Chris McIlroy, an in-house lawn seed expert at The Grass People, noted that cutting your grass too short leaves it “vulnerable” to the cold weather over winter.
He added: “We advise gardeners to keep their grass around 2.3 to 3 inches tall during the winter months. This length provides enough surface area for photosynthesis while preventing snow mould and root damage from setting in.”
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