Plants you should never prune in January or risk no blooms in spring

not only helps to improve the flowering of a but also the aesthetics of your .

It should be done at certain times throughout the year, depending on what the plant or flower is.

According to one expert, there are certain plants which should not be pruned in January.

Hamid Ali, a seasoned landscape gardener and horticulture expert on , said: “In January, you should avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs like forsythia, lilac and flowering currant.

“For example, if you prune them, the sensitive cut part of the plant will be exposed to harsh climate, which would provide unfavourable conditions to grow.

“This could then result in death from cutting it. Pruning these plants in winter can remove flower buds that have already formed, reduce or eliminate blooms for the coming spring.”

According to the expert, it’s best to wait until after they flower, usually in late spring or early summer to prune them.

Similarly, the gardener also recommended avoiding pruning evergreens unless necessary, as they can be susceptible to cold damage.

Hamid continued: “You can cut back specific plants in January, but it’s mostly for maintenance and tidying up.”

Suitable tasks include cutting back dead or damaged growth, especially on herbaceous perennials or deciduous shrubs, for example, roses.

You can also prune dormant trees like apple or pear trees or plane maple, as long as it’s not too cold, to shape them or remove damaged wood.

Gardeners can also clear away old, decaying leaves from plants such as hostas or sedums to prevent disease.

The expert noted: “However, avoid cutting back plants that are dormant or those with early spring blooms like forsythia to preserve flower buds.”

Other January garden jobs include planting certain seeds for spring growth, aerating the lawn and tidying up the patio.