Tips
Pruning Ornamentals
Why do we prune plants? To keep them tidy by trimming off old growth and dead flowers, and to promote healthy, new (often flower-bearing) growth.
- You’ll need gloves and good secateurs (or hedge shears for hedging) plus a pruning saw for heavier jobs.
Roses
- Most long-flowering roses are pruned in mid to late winter.
- Roses that flower once in spring should be cut back after blooming.
- Cut out old or spindly growth. Shorten back long shoots. Open up the centre to let more air in. Cut above an outwards-facing bud.
- In winter, immediately after pruning, while plants are leafless, spray all over the rose bush with Yates Lime Sulphur.
- Picking rose with long stems is another form of pruning.
Hydrangeas
- Hydrangeas enjoy being pruned too, but only prune off old flowers. Otherwise you won’t get any blooms next year.
- If hydrangea shoots get long and lanky, cut back hard all over. This may mean you won’t get flowers for a couple of years but it will benefit the plants in the long run.
General
- Wipe tools clean after pruning and store in a dry place. Make sure they’re kept sharp.
