March Pruning

For some gardeners pruning is a dark art that they simply don?t understand, but it really isn?t that complicated or difficult. Keep it simple. Use pruning to keep large shrubs in check, to keep garden plants healthy and to rejuvenate overgrown and established trees and shrubs. Many plants actually thrive on a bit of pruning and in fact grow back stronger and better, so you won?t do them any damage. A good book on the subject will get you started and once you have the hang of it you will be applying your skills to everything in the garden. The best way to learn is to take things slowly and have a go. If you have a multi-stemmed shrub or rose with many branches then have a go on one or two of the main stems, choose the oldest stems that are likely to need pruning out or some serous attention. Plants that respond well to pruning can have two or three (up to one third) of the stems pruned back to the ground. They will then grow new fresh stems to replace those lost. Try it and you?ll be amazed at how resilient many plants are. If you are too scared to do that then simply remove any dead or diseased stems and take out any that are crossing over. If you are still too daunted or you simply don?t have the time then ask around at your local gardening club or at your garden centre to see if there is someone local to you that can offer some expert advice.

One of the essential things to consider is your tools. Don?t attempt garden pruning with kitchen scissors or anything that is not designed for the purpose. A good, sharp pair of secateurs are an essential piece of kit for every gardener. But don?t overstretch them on thick branches. The right tool for the right job is simply essential. Buy the best quality you can afford and look after them. Keep them with you in the garden using a holster that attaches to your belt so that you are always ready for action when required. For thicker stems you need a good pair of garden loppers and/or a pruning saw. Choose a folding pruning saw for easy storage. Keep pruning tools away from pets and children and ensure they stay clean and dry by storing them in a garden shed, or under the potting bench in the greenhouse.

Many shrubs can be pruned in March. Dogwoods (Cornus) respond particularly well to hard pruning, as this encourages plenty of fresh coloured stems to develop. Spring flowering shrubs such as Forsythia, ribes (flowering currants), Weigela, Deutzia and early Clematis should all be pruned after flowering as they all actually flower on stems made last year. If you remove these mature stems before the flowers have opened you will stop the plants from flowering this season and miss their display. By pruning after flowering you encourage the plants to make plenty of new growth this season that will ripen over the autumn and winter to flower again on this new wood next year.

Plants that flower on this year?s stems should be pruned in early spring to encourage plenty of new growth and flowers this season, these include Roses, the butterfly bush (Buddleia), Hydrangea paniculata, and Caryopteris. Feed after pruning with a dedicated tree and shrub food or a rose fertiliser

Climbing plants such as clematis that flower from June onwards, on new shoots that form off last year?s wood and Wisteria may have been whipped around in the winter by the wind. Prune them back lightly now to tidy them up, making sure that you do not remove any shoots that will bear this seasons flowers. Gently work some slow release fertiliser into the soil surface above the roots and then mulch with a bark-based mulch to retain the soil moisture and insulate the plant roots from frost and sun.

You can rejuvenate tired established rose bushes by pruning them in early spring. Remove any dead and diseased stems using sharp, clean secateurs. Open up the centre of the bush by removing any overgrown stems and any that are rubbing together. Always prune just above an outward facing bud, as this encourages the plant to grow outwards rather than in and creates a much better shape overall. Remember an overcrowded bush is much more susceptible to pest and disease problems. Feed after pruning with a dedicated rose food.