Your garden will come to life before your very eyes: which plants you must prune in April
This is reported by House Beautiful, citing advice from expert Mark Hewett.
The main secret of spring pruning is that it is during this period that cuts on plants heal the fastest. Experts emphasise that plants’ energy is currently focused on growth, so removing excess growth will help trees and shrubs channel their energy in the right direction. The list of ‘lucky ones’ that should be pruned in April includes roses, buddleia, hydrangeas, lavender and even apple trees.
Each plant has its own nuances. Roses should be cut back to the outer bud as soon as they begin to swell — this will ensure better ventilation for the bushes. Buddleia and panicle hydrangeas can be pruned quite boldly, as they flower on young shoots. But with lavender, you need to be careful: cut back only the dry parts, without touching the old wood, so as not to ruin the bush. As for apple trees, they only need a light ‘tidy-up’ — remove any crossing branches so the tree can breathe freely.
Success depends 90% on the tools. A blunt pair of secateurs can damage the plant’s tissue, making it susceptible to disease. Therefore, use sharp bypass secateurs for the thin branches of roses, and sturdy loppers for the thick shoots of apple trees or old buddleia. The right approach in April ensures that your garden will reward you with lush greenery and bright flowers as early as the start of summer.
