WHEN you are cutting back summer-flowering shrubs, cherries and plums, you should aim to create an attractive shape with an open, uncluttered centre that allows good airflow to keep your plants healthy.
Fungal spores and pests thrive in messy, densely clustered plant material with little access to light and air, so by removing those spindly, misshapen shoots that tend to grow inwards we are making our plants look better and also helping to keep them healthy.
Start with the ‘three Ds’ and remove dead, diseased and damaged growth, followed by weak and unproductive shoots.
When pruning, reduce branches back to a healthy pair of leaves or buds, or to an outward-pointing shoot that is growing in the shape and direction that you want.
Shrubs with small leaves, such as box, can be tidied using topiary shears, while standard shears are ideal for trimming faded clematis flowers and cutting back straggling stems encroaching over windows and other plants.
Denne historien er fra July 10, 2021-utgaven av Amateur Gardening.
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Denne historien er fra July 10, 2021-utgaven av Amateur Gardening.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters