Spring is the time to do some pruning. The shrubs that need pruning in March include all those that flower in summer and autumn on new shoots that are produced in summer. This includes buddleias, summer-flowering spiraeas, late-flowering ceanothus, caryopteris, shrubby potentillas, Hydrangea paniculata, Hydrangea arborescens and most roses.
Do not prune spring-flowering spiraeas (mostly white), vibes, forsythia, May-flowering ceanothus and old-fashioned shrub roses (that only bloom once in July). If you prune these now you will cut off this season’s bloom.
Winter-flowering heathers have bloomed earlier than usual this year and some are ‘going over’. These can be given a light trim, to remove the old stems with dead flowers. This should be done every year to keep plants neat and compact and prevent them becoming dead in the centre.
Late-flowering hydrangeas (not the pink and blue mophead kinds) should be hard pruned now. Cut back last year’s growth, back to a pair of buds (these may be small and not yet green). This will keep the plants neat and promote large heads of flowers. If not pruned the shrubs will sprawl and produce smaller flower clusters.
The mophead kinds, can be pruned now but they should be lightly pruned. Simply cut off the dead flowers, back to the upper pair of fat buds. Then cut to a few of the oldest stems, back to the base, on plants more than three years old. If you prune hard over the whole plant you will get new growth but no flowers this summer!
Buddleias are pruned in the same way as Hydrangea paniculata. Prune them hard back to a pair of buds. If the plant is very overgrown you can prune back severely with a saw or with loppers, back to 30cm and the plant will produce new, strong shoots and huge flower clusters.
Always give a dressing of fertiliser after pruning to boost growth. Pelleted chicken manure or fish, blood and bone is ideal for this.
Lupin cuttings
If you have a special lupin plant that you would like to increase, now is the ideal time to take cuttings. You can grow lupins from seed too but the results are variable and cuttings are the only way to preserve a special plant. Look for shoots now at the base of the plant and remove them with a piece of the woody base. Remove the largest leaves and place them in gritty compost to root.
Weekly jobs
Prune roses
Sow lawns
Sow flowers in a propagator at 20c
Sow parsnips, beet, carrots and broad beans
Divide herbaceous plants and grasses