Pruning is essential in spring (Image: Getty)
Monty Don said now is the “best time to any shrubs and climbers, especially clematis, and buddleia. I like to do this when I start to see new shoots appearing,” he elaborated, adding that shrubs such as Cornus, Willow, and Sambucus can also be cut back.
However, many amateur might feel a tad anxious when it comes to pruning correctly. Thankfully, Monty Don shared his “one rule” all gardeners must follow in order to prune well. “There is only one rule to follow which is always cut back to something, be it a side shoot or leaf bud,” he said.
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Buddleja davidii (summer lilac) should be pruned now for beautiful flowers in summer (Image: Getty)
He added to his : “Other than that do not worry unduly about outward facing buds or any such finessing.”
Why should I prune plants?
Pruning is an essential gardening task that helps encourage “vigorous new growth” that will produce “lots of flowers”.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) advised that “many summer or late-summer flowering deciduous shrubs can be pruned between January and March”.
You can prune:
- Buddleja davidii
- Caryopteris clandonensis
- Ceratostigma
- Hydrangea paniculata
- Leycesteria
- Lavatera
- Perovskia
- Hardy fuchsia
- Ceanothus species.
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Secateurs are needed to prune shrubs (Image: Getty)
Any spring-flowering shrubs should not be pruned “until after they have flowered”.
What do you need to prune plants and shrubs?
A good, sharp pair of secateurs (i.e. gardening scissors) are needed to prune plants and shrubs.
Another gardening job in March
Monty Don said now is a good time to mow the lawn, but only if the grass is dry. Plus, the lawn should only be cut back ever so slightly to “encourage good root growth”.
By only giving the lawn a “light trim”, the grass will be “a lot healthier” during the summer.
It’s also key to aerate the lawn by “sticking a fork in the ground and wiggling it about”. This is to help prevent compacted soil that may start to grow moss on top of it.
“Mix up equal portions of sieved topsoil, sharp sand and sieved leaf mould or compost,” Monty Don instructed.
“Spread it across the area you have pricked and brush it in with a stiff broom, filling the holes with the mixture. This will help drainage and feed the grass.”