A gardening expert provided some top tips on how to prune various plants this autumn, from roses to fruit trees, to support robust growth and stunning blooms.
Peter Murray, a seasoned home and garden expert from Murray Steel Buildings, highlighted the crucial role that proper plant care plays in achieving healthy growth and vibrant blooms.
Peter offered practical advice for preparing each different plant for the changing seasons to ensure gardens remain flourishing with different blooms year after year.
1. Roses
For roses, prune in early autumn by cutting back dead or diseased stems and lightly shaping the plant. Make angled cuts just above outward-facing buds to encourage new growth.
2. Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas should be pruned from late summer to early autumn; remove spent flowers and dead stems carefully, and avoid heavy pruning for old wood varieties. Use sharp, clean shears to prevent damage.
3. Lavender
Lavender benefits from a light trim in late summer; cut back spent flower stalks and avoid cutting into old wood, but maintain a rounded shape to prevent legginess.
4. Wisteria
Wisteria requires pruning in late summer; cut back long, whippy growth to about five or six leaves from the main stem to promote next year’s flowering and keep the plant under control.
5. Clematis
For late-flowering clematis, trim back flowered stems by a third in early autumn to foster new growth. Avoid pruning early-flowering varieties in autumn, as it may affect their blooms for the next season.
6. Shrub roses
Shrub roses, pruned from late summer to early autumn, benefit from removing dead or damaged branches and lightly shaping the plant. Always use clean, sharp tools to avoid infections.
7. Fruit trees
Fruit trees like apple and pear should be pruned in late summer by removing dead or damaged branches and thinning out crowded areas to allow sunlight to penetrate the canopy. Aim for an open structure to improve fruit production.
8. Buddleia
Buddleia (butterfly bush) should be pruned in early autumn by removing spent flower spikes and trimming to maintain shape.
For vigorous blooming next year, prune hard in late winter to early spring.
9. Fuchsias
Fuchsias also benefit from early autumn pruning; remove spent flowers and trim back to maintain a neat shape, with a harder cut in late winter to encourage bushier growth in spring.
10. Perennials
Perennials, such as delphiniums and lupins, should be cut back to ground level after faded flowers and dead stems are removed in late summer to early autumn.
Mulch around the base post-pruning to protect roots through winter.
Proper pruning at these times supports plant health and ensures strong growth and flowering in the coming season.
