Garden plants to prune in December for ‘vigorous and healthy growth’ next spring

Monty Don shares tips for pruning fruit trees

Many plants and shrubs are pruned when dormant, which tends to fall in the colder months of the year.

Dormant pruning means the plant is in its resting period which helps to reduce stress to it when giving it a cut.

It is often more aggressive than maintenance pruning with larger cuts being made to create more “vigorous and healthy growth” in the following spring.

Fruit bushes

According to the pros at Henchman, fruit trees can become too tall and wild if left untouched for a long period.

Annual pruning helps to manage their size, making it easier to harvest fruit and care for the tree.

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The experts said: “By selectively removing branches, you stimulate the growth of new, fruit-bearing branches and buds, leading to a more abundant harvest next season.

“However, there are several common mistakes that must be avoided. Pruning at the wrong time, skipping pruning for a year, or being too vigorous can all cause harm to your plants.

“Timing is crucial – doing so at the wrong time of the year can have harmful effects on your fruit tree. To minimise stress and reduce the risk of disease transmission, it’s best to prune during the dormant season, which is usually in late winter or early spring.

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“Trimming your fruit tree during summer or autumn can stimulate new growth that doesn’t have time to harden before winter, making the tree more susceptible to frost and cold weather, which can weaken the tree in the long run.”

Wisteria

Wisteria should be pruned twice a year, in the dormant season from November to February and again in summer after flowering.

Make sure to remove any dead or damaged branches, tying in new growth and cutting back the remaining long wispy stems to just two to three buds.

Climbing roses

Climbing roses should routinely be pruned in winter, after the flowers have faded which is between December and February.

The RHS said: “Long whippy shoots can be shortened or tied in during autumn, to prevent strong winds from damaging them.

“Renovation can be carried out at any time between late autumn and late winter.”

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