Prune your plants during winter
DIY and how-to
A guide to pruning plants in winter
Many plants benefit from a general pruning during the colder months. Because dense growth makes it very difficult for light and water – both essential for healthy growth – to penetrate all parts of a plant, a good tidy up will allow for better air circulation and let light and water in, making it a necessary drought-readying activity in autumn.
Why should you prune?
There are a number of benefits for your plants:
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- Clearing dense growth creates better air circulation, which means fewer cases of fungal diseases and insect pests.
- Tidying up allows more light and water to penetrate the plant.
- Old trees and shrubs tend to develop very long, spindly branches. Pruning these forces the plant to sprout new, stronger branches or shoots.
- Getting rid of diseased and dead branches encourages healthier plant growth.
- Pruning keeps your garden neat and prevents the obstruction of pleasant views.
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Before you begin, make sure your secateurs are clean and sharp, and grease all the moving parts well. It’s a good idea to invest in a pair of elbow-length gloves if you’ll be pruning very thorny or spiky shrubs.
What should be pruned in autumn and winter?
- Summer- and autumn-flowering shrubs like pride of India, plumbago, ribbon bush, barleria, hydrangea, lavender and wild dagga
- Climbers like golden shower tree, canary creeper, clematis and wisteria
- Deciduous fruit trees like apples, peaches, pears, plums and quince trees.
- Conifers – a gentle pruning will keep their shape regular
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