Most plants benefit from some sort of regular pruning and maintenance – the trick of pruning is to learn when to prune what. Most flowering and fruiting plants prefer to be pruned while they are lying dormant, which is usually during late winter through to early spring.
Some, like spring-blooming trees and shrubs, will start showing new buds as soon as the old buds have fallen. These plants will need to be pruned shortly after flowering, or you risk cutting off the new buds with the old. Pruning is a great way to keep plants strong and flowering well, however, pruning at the wrong time of the year may result in less flowers and fruits, even though it won’t harm the plant in the long run.
When pruning, use sharp, clean tools, as these not only make the job of pruning easier, but are also crucial for keeping the plants healthy. The basic tools required are available at all garden centres and supermarkets. The tools comprise hand clippers, loppers, shearers and saws. If used correctly, most of these tools should last you for many years. To increase their longevity, put a little oil onto a cloth and when the tools are being put away, rub the blades with oil to protect them from rusting.
Flowering trees, shrubs and vines tend to be the most confusing groups of plants when it comes to pruning times. Summer and autumn-flowering trees and shrubs should be pruned in the dormant season, which is late winter to early spring. Spring-flowering trees and shrubs on he other hand, should be pruned soon after their flowers fade. Hedges and topiaries have to be pruned on a constant basis throughout the year – resulting in thick, luscious plants that can take on almost any form imaginable.
Pruning fruit trees is very important for their longevity and fruit yield. Pruning accomplishes several aims, all of which increase fruit production. Pruning will expose the tree more evenly to light, get rid of excess leaders and create a balanced tree that will bear weight well. Pruning of most fruit trees is generally carried out in early spring, when winter-related damage has passed, but the tree has not yet started to bud in earnest. The exception to this rule is dead and diseased branches, which can be removed at any time. When pruning look for inward growing branches, or branches that rub together, drooping branches and excessive branches, and be sure to cut them away. Also cut away low branches, leaving space beneath the tree for light and air. Always prune the tree in such a way that the finished product resembles a vase.
Anyone who has a garden will be likely to have at least one rose in it, so it is important to know how and when to prune roses, as this will encourage new growth and blooms. Most rose pruning is completed in the spring. Watch out for when the leaf buds begin to swell on your rose plants – when the bumps on the canes get larger and reddish in colour, then you ought to begin pruning. When you start pruning a rose, look at the overall plant, and begin pruning from the base. You will want to remove all dead wood, as well as shape the plant and improve its air circulation. All branches that grow inwards, as well as any branches that are weak or thinner than a pencil should be removed. The general idea is to get the rose plant shaped like a trophy, so any branches that grow in the wrong directions should be cut off.
One never thinks about pruning evergreen trees, however if you desire an evergreen in your landscape to be a bit fuller, this can be accomplished with some well-timed pruning. The larger the trees, the more intensive this type of pruning will be, so do this while the tree is young. The most labour intensive plants to prune are the non-woody perennials. Most of these plants, especially the flowering ones, not only need to be cut back entirely at some point before or after the growing season, but they also need regular pruning, shearing or deadheading.
The beauty, health and overall wellness of a garden is very dependent on pruning correctly and at the right time. Which plants to prune and how much to prune them, is knowledge that is usually acquired through gardening experience, however there are some great websites and books that offer detailed information if you would like to learn more about the subject of pruning. - Antonella Dési
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