They can outgrow their space, though, so reduce their size but cutting back weak, thin branches by about a third. The most basic form of pruning - often sufficient, is simply to dead-head the old flowers - before they are allowed to make seed - by cutting back to first set of buds. Philadelphus are one of the most important plants to prune in summer, to ensure the the richly-scented blooms return next year. Prune them right after flowering by cutting back flowered stems to a healthy bud, or to a sideshoot that has yet to flower. Prune summer-blooming trees and shrubs in winter or early spring, before new growth emerges. It can also promote future flowering and fruiting. Follow our advice on which tools to use, depending on the type of hedge you’re growing. Discover eight reasons to prune in summer, below. Azalea and Rhododendron Pruning and for or all other evergreen shrubs that flower in late winter, spring, or early summer. Save 30 per cent on Sunday tickets* for BBC Gardeners' World Live 2021. Pruning Guide for Commonly Used Shrubs Use the following tables as a guideline to determine the right time to prune for many common shrubs. The best time to prune cherry laurels (Prunus laurocerasus) in summer is in June, after flowering. Left unpruned, fruit bushes including gooseberries, redcurrants and whitecurrants can outgrow their space. You’ll also encourage bigger crops from fruit trees and bushes. Be inspired by stunning show gardens, and the beautiful floral marquee, plus live talks and more. *Valid on standard one-day tickets only, transaction fee applies. Summer pruning is an often overlooked task, but if anything, it’s just as important as chopping plants back when they are dormant in winter. This is also the time to prune out any branches that are weak, competing or crossing. These guidelines are most pertinent to climates with four distinct seasons and definite winter chill. It’s well worth taking the time to prune shrubs in summer – it can promote better displays of flowers and foliage. Ideally, prune before the new leaf buds open, so that energy is directed into the remaining stems. Old, fruited canes can be cut down to the ground to make space for new stems. Many trees and large shrubs benefit from some summer pruning. Late fall after leaf drop is certainly a safe time to prune. *Valid on standard one-day tickets only, transaction fee applies. Simply cut back the branches you want to reduce to just above a healthy bud or leaf. Rare and highly sought after, Hyacinth 'Midnight Mystic'® is the first and original black hyacinth. With the arrival of the winter season many of us are spending more time indoors, so why not brighten up your home and purify the air with a range of wonderful and architecturally interesting indoor plants. Before you get to work, make sure your tools are clean and sharp – dirty, blunt tools can aid the spread and entry of diseases. Spring flowering shrubs develop their buds during summer for the following year and an autumn pruning removes them. Receive perfectly portioned snacks delivered straight to your door, Subscribe to BBC Gardeners' World Magazine and receive 12 issues for only £39.99 - saving 39%. While summer isn’t the time to do major pruning, it is the right time to do certain types of pruning. Pruning is traditionally associated with the winter months but there are plenty of reasons to prune plants in summer, too. Find out how to prune beech and hornbeam hedges. Roses are a case in point. Shrubs: pruning summer- or autumn-flowering Pruning late summer- or autumn-flowering shrubs annually in spring gives a better flowering display that year. Pruning shrubs in autumn. Discover how to prune newly planted shrubs. Pruning in summer helps to avoid infection, as the fungal spores are airborne between September and May. Find out how to maintain secateurs. If you’re a novice pruner, you might want to wait until you’re very familiar with the plants in your garden, and you’ve watched the results of your pruning over a few annual cycles. The main aim of pruning evergreens is to maintain their shape, control their growth and remove any frost-damaged stems. Discover eight reasons to prune in summer. All you need to do is cut back old blooms, as well as dead or diseased stems, aiming to create a uniform shape. Rare and highly sought after, Hyacinth 'Midnight Mystic'® is the first and original black hyacinth.