Pruning

Pruning is undertaken to control growth, define shape, create flowering/fruiting branches for the following season and probably most importantly to remove dead, damaged and diseased areas of a plant.


Plant What to do When
General The best time to prune flowering shrubs is just after they have finished flowering.
Prune deciduous shrubs when they are dormant and evergreen shrubs in spring.		 Spring
Box Shape Box hedging in the spring. Water the plant first to prevent sap sticking to the shears. Spring
Clematis alpina They flower on last year's growth, so should only be tidied after flowering, rather than extensive pruning. Don't prune
Heather Prune to base of flowering stem Spring
Magnolia Magnolia's don't like being pruned. Where branches are removed you will either get die back or you will get a lot of new shoots growing. Don't prune
Rose - Miniature Only remove dead and or diseased growth, trim to shape and deadhead. Use scissors as using your hand or secateurs may damage the plant. Don't prune

Fruit Name What to do When
Blackberry Blackberries fruit on last seasons growth prune out fruiting branches after fruit has been picked, leaving the 6 strongest young branches. September
Blackcurrant Blackcurrants fruit on last seasons growth prune out fruiting branches after fruit has been picked, leaving the strongest young growth. September
Grape vine Prune grape vines in December. Cut back last year's growth to one or two buds. This encourages new shoots which will bear the next season's fruit.
The old dead bark on the trunk should be gently scraped back to removing hiding places for any pests, such as mealybug and fungal spores.

Note: Pruning a vine at other times can lead to severe bleeding of the plant.

 December
Passion Flower Passion flower should be pruned in the spring. Spring
Raspberry Summer fruiting Raspberries bear fruit from one year old growth. In mid-autumn prune the old branches that have born fruit this season, almost to ground level (4' / 10cm).
In mid-summer prune out younger shoots to leave 5' space between them.
Autumn fruiting Raspberries fruit from current season's growth. Cut all canes (including newly planted raspberries) almost to ground level (4' / 10cm) in March.
Remove broken or damaged autumn fruiting raspberry canes in October.		 September
Redcurrant Redcurrants fruit on old wood, pruning should be limited to thinning out and the removal of weaker branches. September

Paint ArborexTM on any new cuts, especially when tree pruning, it prevents rotting and insect attack. Although there as some schools of thought that suggest painting the wounds can trap disease between the paint and the cut.