Pruning aims to remove any dead, diseased or damaged branches to improve the shape and health of a plant.
It may seem like an easy task, but there are a lot of things which can go wrong including cutting in the wrong place and pruning at the wrong time of year.
According to experts, one of the biggest mistakes made when it comes to pruning is to not prune plants at all.
Many people leave their shrubs and flowers to grow in fear of pruning wrong or simply forgetting they need a trim every so often.
However, this can lead to an overgrown garden and result in trees which are too tall.
It can also result in plants and shrubs dying a lot quicker because new growth isn’t being stimulated.
Eleni Veroutsos, gardening expert at BackyardBoss, said: “One of the most common mistakes people make is not pruning their plants at all.
“While it may seem like extra work, pruning is essential to making sure your plants are healthy and grow properly.”
If gardeners fail to prune plants, they may not flower as well as they should do, or when they should. This is because pruning encourages the plant to promote new growth.
It is equally damaging to prune too much though, according to experts.
Gardening experts at Sutton Manor Nursery explained: “With all the overgrown shrubs from the previous months, it is understandable that you are eager to start getting your shrubs in shape.
“However you mustn’t overdo it. If done too aggressively, it can permanently damage a plant and stunt its growth and make it susceptible to diseases.
“Pruning is simply cutting leaves and leaves are what a plant needs to make food. Therefore, over-pruning your plant means it cannot make food.”
Making the wrong cuts is an absolute no-no when it comes to pruning plants. A proper pruning cut minimises the damage done to the tree and allows it to heal quickly.
According to Teo, the “ultimate bad move” when pruning is to top a tree. This involves reducing the size of a tree by cutting the top of its primary leader which creates far more problems than it solves.
If your plant is looking stressed or damaged a short time after pruning, it may be because it has been pruned too much.
Gardeners who think they are pruning too much should stop pruning for a while to see how the plant responds.
There are many plants which can be pruned in the spring months, including hydrangeas and lavenders.
