Home > Projects >

How to: Maintenance Pruning

You will need: Secateurs, pruning saw

On ornamental plants (not fruit) there are a few basic reasons why you should prune, best remembered as the 4 Ds: Dead, Dying, Damaged and Diseased. Next, remove crossing or rubbing branches, any that have reverted to green and for shape.

Best time to do it:

Step 1

Dead wood is easiest to see and remove in summer. Cut back to healthy, pale-coloured wood.

Step 2

Die-back is common after early pruning where a rogue frost can catch you out. Cut back to just above a healthy bud.

Step 3

Larger dead stems should be removed with a pruning saw, working very carefully so you do not damage nearby shoots.

Step 4

Green shoots on a variegated plant should be removed, as they contain more chlorophyll and are stronger. If left, they will take over and you will lose the variegation.

Related FAQs

Ask a gardening question:

Latest Gardening News

What is a Nematode?

Joy of Spring at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show!

10 Downing Street Garden Opens for One Unique Weekend

Jacksons Fencing introduces Jaksun™ Solar Fence Panel

Gardening Projects for April

---

How to grow a Blueberry in a Container

How to: Maintenance Pruning

How to prune for coloured stems

How to prick off

Latest Gardening Videos

---

Potting Cacti

Gardening Jobs for Easter

Weed Control Using Mulch

Rooting Cuttings

Removing a Tree

Colour from Autumn to early Summer

All Videos

Explore Gardens from Around the World

Medellin Botanical Garden
Medellin, Columbia

Aswan Botanical Garden
Aswan, Egypt

Gardens of the Generalife, Alhambra
Granada, Spain

Monet's Garden, Giverny
Giverny, France

Keukenhof
Lisse, Netherlands

Gardens of Versailles
Versailles, France