Summer Pruning for a Thriving Garden
Pruning in summer is an essential gardening task that helps control plant growth, promotes flowering, and keeps your garden looking its best. Here’s a guide to pruning different types of plants in the summer months.
Fruit Trees
Pruning fruit trees in summer encourages fruit production by removing vigorous new growth. For apples and pears, trim new shoots on lateral branches back to one leaf once the stem becomes woody. For plums, prune awkwardly placed stems back to the base to avoid silver leaf disease.
Fruit Bushes
Summer pruning helps control the size and encourage fruiting of fruit bushes. After harvesting blackcurrants, remove old stems and a quarter of stems at least two years old. For gooseberries, trim new growth back to two or three leaves from the base and remove congested branches to improve air circulation.
Herbs
Shrubby herbs can become leggy if not pruned regularly. Cut back lavender after flowering to maintain a dense shape. For sage and thyme, trim shoot tips to keep the plants bushy and full of new growth.
Roses
Summer is the ideal time to prune once-flowering roses, such as old-fashioned roses and gallicas. Cut back main stems by a third to reduce the risk of wind damage and trim sideshoots back by two thirds.
Shrubs
Shrubs that flower on old wood should be pruned after flowering in summer to allow new growth to mature for next year’s blooms. For deutzia, simply cut off each flowered stem at the base. For weigela, kerria, and philadelphus, cut back flowered stems by a third to encourage new growth and prevent legginess.
Perennials
Some perennials can be cut back in summer to encourage new growth and maintain a fresh appearance. For hardy geraniums, cut the entire plant back to just above ground level. Delphiniums and Alchemilla mollis can also be cut back to the ground to promote new foliage and flowers.
Climbers
Vigorous climbers can benefit from summer pruning to control growth and promote flowering. For early-flowering honeysuckles, cut back flowered shoots by one third. For summer jasmine, prune flowered shoots back to a strong shoot low on the plant. Wisteria should have its new growth trimmed back to five or six leaves from the base in July or August to encourage flower bud formation.
By following these summer pruning tips, you can keep your plants healthy, encourage flowering, and maintain a beautiful garden throughout the growing season.
