Some plants will provide gorgeous blooms later in the year if they’re given attention this month
April is the month when gardeners will see their gardens burst into life as the warmer weather and sunshine sees new flowers and trees start to bud.
But it’s also the time to take action for those that are growing three types of plant if they want to ensure a colourful display of flowers this summer.
Gardening expert Adam Frost said that April, the shoulder season of spring, is when gardeners should prune trees and certain types of plants too.
He told Country Living: “To decide when to prune, think about how plants behave in nature. In winter, when trees are dormant, they will drop any weak and dead wood, so it’s the best time to prune trees. In general, most trees and shrubs should be pruned after they have flowered.”
And he said that it was important to tackle the three D’s: “Dead, diseased and damaged wood.” He added: ““Cut stems on a slant as this encourages rainwater to drain away.”
When it comes to pruning plants he said always cut close to a healthy leaf bud and explained that if you leave too much of the stem above the cut, it will die back and can cause the plant to become infected, reports The Express.
Adam urged, “Look for a bud that is outward-facing. If branches grow inwards, they tend to become congested.”
As for what to prune this month, he said it should include lavender, buddleia, and ornamental grasses as it will pave the way for new growth and stimulates a flourishing display of blossoms, foliage, and vibrant stems across a diverse array of plants.
Lavender
If you’re keen to prune like a professional, Mediterranean shrubs such as lavender are best pruned in spring, following the harsh winter conditions.
This is favourable as the old stems and flowers protect new shoots from frost during winter.
In early April, cut lavender stems back by one-third to one-half, focusing on green sections and avoiding cutting into old, woody wood to encourage new growth and a compact shape.
Other tender shrubs that should be pruned in spring include cistus and rosemary.
Buddleia
Flowering shrubs that bloomed in the summer, including fuchsia and buddleia, should be cut back hard in spring to stimulate a burst of new growth from the base of the plant. This will ensure plenty of flowers for the upcoming season.
First, trim back the top growth to around half its height for better access to the base of the plant. Cut through the thick woody stems, around 30cm above the ground and, where possible, prune just above a bud or growing shoot.
Using a pruning saw or lopper, remove any dead stubs and branches. Aim to produce a short, strong framework of five to six main branches.
If you don’t prune your buddleia, it will get taller and scruffier-looking, and the amount of big, bold blooms you get per square foot of shrub will decline.
These will gradually be replaced with twiggy, leafy growth with small flowers.
Ornamental grasses
Deciduous grasses like Miscanthus that have stood over winter can be cut back hard from March. All the brown growth should be removed, leaving any new green stems behind.
Use secateurs for smaller clumps, removing each old stem individually and being careful not to cut off the emerging new shoots.
Hedge trimmers can remove larger clumps, but you should leave about 10cm of the old stems to avoid cutting through new growth.
