B&Q shares how to prune roses in spring
Spring is the perfect time to start pruning plants that have been left to run wild during the winter months. Lots of plants need pruning in spring from shrubs to wisteria, and lavender to buddleia.
Certain plants need pruning in spring to stop them from looking messy later on in the season.
Pruning doesn’t just encourage new growth but improves the overall shape of the plant while giving gardeners the chance to remove dead stems and stop the spread of potential diseases.
Two popular garden plants that need pruning in spring are roses and hydrangeas. The plants produce beautiful flowers that bloom in the summer months.
With this in mind, Paul Hicks, product and marketing manager at STIHL GB, has shared how to prune hydrangeas and roses now to “encourage new growth”.
Paul said deciduous plants which flower between July and October should generally be pruned in spring.
He continued: “This encourages new growth and improves the health of your plants, so they will look their best next time they flower, while also allowing you to keep the size and shape in check.
“Secateurs are the most popular tool when it comes to pruning shrubs and flowers.”
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas can be found in most British gardens and are the perfect plant for adding some late summer colour to the garden.
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When and how to prune hydrangeas will depend on the variety you have in the garden.
Paul added: “Dependent on the type you have, hydrangeas should be pruned in spring – simply cut back existing growth to just above two buds on each stem.”
Mophead and lacecap hydrangeas don’t need to have their faded flowers pruned straight away as the dead flowers can protect the plant from frost damage in the winter months.
Established mopheads and lacecaps and hydrangea serrata also need pruning in mid-spring but lightly and regularly.
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Hydrangea paniculata and hydrangea arborescens need to be pruned in early spring before the shrubs start to grow.
Other species need pruning in spring but only minimally. Simply remove dead stems and any stems that have grown too long.
Roses
Roses also need to be pruned in spring but only once the risk of frost has passed which is usually in late May.
To prune roses, Paul suggested cutting out dead or damaged stems. He continued: “Remove any dead or winter-damaged stems and cut back last year’s growth to four or five buds, cutting to an outward-facing bud to encourage an open-centred shape.”
Other plants to prune in spring
With the weather warming up and the days lasting longer, there are plenty of other plants that need pruning in spring.
Paul added: “Spring is the ideal time to prune more delicate plants such as myrtle and lavender too, once the risk of frost has passed and the weather is warming up.
“Other plants that benefit from pruning in spring are fruit trees such as apple, cherry and peach. For these, cut off any dead, damaged or downward growing branches.”
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