Pruning is one of the most powerful tools in a gardener's arsenal — and one of the most feared. The golden rule: if in doubt, prune less. Plants are far more resilient to under-pruning than over-pruning.
Why We Prune
The Timing Problem
Timing is everything. The key principle:
Plants that flower before June (forsythia, lilac, wisteria, spring-flowering shrubs) — prune immediately after flowering. They flower on last year's wood. If you prune in winter, you remove next year's flowers.
Plants that flower after June (buddleja, roses, late-flowering shrubs, most herbaceous) — prune in late winter or early spring.
Basic Technique
Always cut just above a healthy bud or pair of buds. The bud should be pointing outward. Cut at a slight angle sloping away from the bud so water runs off. Use clean, sharp secateurs.
The Three Ds
When tackling any shrub or tree, start by removing the three Ds:
Then assess the shape and selectively remove for structure.
Hard Pruning
Some shrubs (buddleja, dogwood grown for stem colour, elder) respond well to very hard pruning — cutting back to 30 cm from the ground in late winter. This produces vigorous, fresh growth.
