What to prune in midsummer

Give a post-flowering trim for shape and health, says Ruth

- Ruth Hayes

THERE is generally something to prune at most times of the year and in midsummer, we turn our attention to flowered shrubs and certain fruit trees.

This week I’ve been trimming an early summer flowering Weigela and Deutzia, as well as to our ornamental cherry tree, ‘Victoria’ plum and greengage.

The deciduous Deutzia and Weigela, alongside Philadelphus and Kolkwitzia are cut back immediately after they have flowered to give this year’s subsequent growth ample time to mature enough to produce next year’s blossom.

Leave it too late and they won’t flower as well (this is the same reason why we prune forsythia, which flowers in early spring, straight after it has bloomed).

When tackling these shrubs, cut back the side branches to just above a healthy leaf bud. New buds will soon form and produce new growth.