This is what you can prune in the fall

Discover which plants you should prune in the fall and how best to approach fall pruning.

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Autumn is a busy time on the pruning calendar. Many plants that played a starring role in summer now require some maintenance. Pruning dead branches to prevent fungus from taking hold is important, for example. Many fruit bushes benefit from thinning. And perennials without decorative seed heads can (usually) be cut back to the ground.

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When pruning in autumn, it's especially important to cut branches and stems at an angle. This way, less water will remain on the wound, reducing the risk of fungal infection. This is one of the most common pruning mistakes . Grab your pruning shears and get started on the following trees, shrubs, and plants.

someone is pruning an old brown branch of summer raspberries back to the ground. — Photo: Tim Sandall.

Prune canes of summer raspberries (pictured) that have borne fruit. You can now cut these old canes back to the ground. Tie in the new, green canes, as these will support next year's harvest.

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Pruning a berry bush: when and how do you do it?

the garden in August week 32: seed heads

If your borders are full of tall and messy perennials, remove the dead flower stems (and some leaves if necessary) to give them some winter shape. Think, for example, oflarkspur ( Delphinium ) , lupine , phlox , and dead asters . Alternatively, you can leave the plants alone, especially if they have attractive seed heads, as this attracts many garden animals, such as birds .

Tip!

Mediterranean shrubs such as rosemary , lavender , and cistus should be pruned after flowering, but certainly before winter. Cut back the plants with pruning shears to tidy them up, remove dead flowers, and shape them in one fell swoop. Never cut into old wood, as this can kill the plants.

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Two hands, one holding pruning shears, cut the top of a rosemary stem.

Leave the more sensitive crested lavender or butterfly lavender ( Lavandula stoechas ) alone until spring to protect it from the winter cold.

Pruning oleander isn't a good idea. Leave the plant alone, as it's still developing new, tender growth that's vulnerable to frost in winter.

If you need to prune ornamental trees like Japanese acers and rowans ( Sorbus ), for example, to remove dead or diseased branches, do so after leaf fall . The trees are then dormant and can be safely pruned until early winter.

Read also

This is what you can prune in the fall

Discover which plants you should prune in the fall and how best to approach fall pruning.

Read also

Tip!

Read also

Leave the more sensitive crested lavender or butterfly lavender ( Lavandula stoechas ) alone until spring to protect it from the winter cold.

Pruning oleander isn't a good idea. Leave the plant alone, as it's still developing new, tender growth that's vulnerable to frost in winter.

Read also

The hardy yew tolerates later pruning than most other hedge plants . If you only want to prune your yew hedge once a year, do it in the early part of autumn. This will keep its shape throughout the winter.

Pruning makes flowers bloom

"Pruning makes flowers bloom" is a famous saying for a reason. But how do you go about it? In this special edition of Gardeners' World magazine, we've laid it all out for you. When, how, and why exactly do you prune? Including an annual pruning planner, you can never go wrong again. Here's to a blooming garden!