It’s important to prune certain plants in October to encourage healthy growth and abundant blooms next year – and there are some varieties that need to be trimmed now
While certain plants shouldn’t be touched with secateurs in October, it’s actually the perfect moment to trim back others before the colder months arrive.
It’s crucial to pay particular attention to those susceptible to windrock and other winter harm. Giving your plants a good prune promotes flowering and helps shape them, keeps overgrown growth in check, and minimises the chance of disease spreading in your garden.
Garden lovers get opportunities throughout the year to prune different plants, but some trees and shrubs require urgent care right now for their wellbeing. One expert has given her top insight into the crucial steps you should carry out now.
Lindsey Chastain, the brains behind The Waddle and Cluck – a welcoming space for home and garden matters – has shared guidance on which greenery requires trimming immediately, reports the Express. She said: “October is a good time to prune back many shrubs and trees as they enter dormancy.”
“Proper pruning encourages plants to be healthy and productive. Be sure to sterilise pruners between plants and make cuts just above outward-facing buds.”
Rose bushes
When early autumn arrives, rose bushes need a trim by removing any deceased or unhealthy stems and shortening the remainder to somewhere between one-third and half their initial length.
The specialist explains this “stimulates new growth and flowering for the next season”. Those tending gardens should snip at a 45-degree angle, targeting just above an outward-facing bud.
Hydrangeas
Come October, hydrangeas need sprucing up by trimming the stems back to “just above the second set of buds down from the flower head”. Lindsey emphasised that this action will get rid of the spent flowers and bring in stunning, fresh blossoms.
Gardeners are cautioned to know their hydrangeas’ variety, as mophead and panicle types require different pruning methods.
Fruit trees
Autumn is the time for gardeners to prune old, overcrowded branches on fruit trees, to let more sunlight in. The expert suggested that the best time for this task is after the leaves have fallen, providing a clearer view of where to make cuts.
Lindsey proposed: “We like to use ribbon to mark branches before the leaves fall, where the foliage is the most dense.” Then, it’s simply about cutting the branches at either the trunk or main branches at a 45-degree angle.
Evergreen shrubs
For evergreen shrubs such as boxwoods and hollies, it is advised to give them a light trim to shape, but “don’t take off more than one-third of the plant” to prevent damage.