Pruning in August will help your garden to look its best over the winter months
Your garden will thank you for putting the work in now(Image: Boy_Anupong via Getty Images)
The summer months provide an excellent opportunity to get a head start on your gardening before the autumn chill begins to creep in. There are numerous plants that appreciate a bit of late summer pruning and will reward you for it when the cooler months roll around.
According to Thomas Rutter, a professional gardener and editor at Home and Gardens, seven plants likely reside in your garden and require pruning now, with box hedging topping the list.
Box
It’s advised to trim topiary hedges at this time as it aids in maintaining their shape throughout the winter.
If your plant is still young, you might need to prune a bit more to preserve the shape of the plant, but for mature hedges, a gentle tidy-up should suffice to restore it to its full splendour, reports the Express.
Avoid pruning your hedge after August until late spring, as tender new growth can sprout and be caught out by frosts.
Thyme
Thyme makes a delightful addition to any garden. It offers good ground cover, blooms attractively and, of course, adds a lovely flavour to a roast dinner.
However, if neglected for too long, thyme can become woody and sparse in the centre.
That’s why it’s crucial to monitor and prune your thyme this month to ensure its continued growth.
Avoid pruning too far down and refrain from cutting it back during the heat of the day – early morning or evening is best, as excessive heat shock can kill the plant.
Hydrangea
Climbing hydrangeas are a remarkable plant that can add a touch of beauty to your garden – but they do necessitate some yearly maintenance. Autumn is the ideal time for pruning them.
Climbing hydrangeas need care(Image: Marina Baranova via Getty Images)
Ensure you trim back their blossoms after they’ve finished blooming to stimulate growth lower down the plant.
Bottlebrush
These appealing red flowering shrubs fit well in pots and borders, but they do require a bit of care. Pruning in August will keep your bottlebrush compact and bushy, providing ample energy for new flowers to sprout.
Japanese holly
Beautiful, low-maintenance, and perfect for topiary, Japanese holly is another favourite choice for UK gardens. However, by August, they might appear a bit untamed and could benefit from a swift trim.
This will also keep them looking fresh and sharp. Japanese holly is considered toxic and can cause skin irritations, so ensure you wear gloves while you prune.
Lavender benefits from regular pruning(Image: Jacky Parker Photography via Getty Images)Wisteria
With its lovely trailing blossoms, wisteria is a popular flower for UK homes. It can climb up the sides of houses and over trellises and has a stunning, romantic appearance.
However, it also needs regular attention. Wisteria grows very quickly and can become unruly swiftly, so August is an excellent time to take control of it.
Lavender
August is the perfect time to prune lavender to avoid those dreaded woody stems that can make your plant look sparse and unappealing. Trimming will keep the plant compact, bushy, and flowering.
Just ensure never to cut into the woody stems.
Comments are closed.