If you haven’t already it is time to get pruning. January is the right time to prune tree and shrubs, as well as cut hedges.
What not to prune
Leave any shrub or plant that has flower buds or is flowering. This includes spring flowering plants such as camellia, rhododendron, azalea and magnolia. Also late winter flowering plants like witch hazel, and some viburnum. These can be pruned after flowering. The RHS website has comprehensive lists of plants which includes care and pruning recommendations.
What to prune now
Roses need pruning in winter. Cut the back to the size and shape you desire, tie in stems as needed and if you are growing them up frames, walls or fences tie in shoots horizontally to encourage new flowering stems to grow upwards.
Fruit trees and bushes. Prune now to help the tree or shrub produce its best fruit later in the year. Depending on what you are growing will govern how you prune. Again the RHS web site has instructions.
Why is pruning important?
Pruning can be seen as the same as us having a haircut, it keeps us looking tidy and promotes stronger growth. For plants we want them to produce flowers and fruits and pruning helps the plant to put its energy into that rather than leaves and branches. In the average garden, pruning helps restore balance, preventing one plant dominating the others.
Pruning can also reduce the risk of disease. Crowded plants and tangled limbs can create places for fungi and diseases to thrive and ultimately damage the plant. Good pruning allows greater air circulation with in the plant, reducing risk of moulds and bacteria getting established.
With the short days and poor weather it can be tempting to leave pruning, but once spring starts and the shrubs start growing, pruning can do more damage than good. If you are short of time, give Chopwell a call, your friendly team can pop in to cut your hedges and prune your plants ready for a colourful growing season in 2026.
