Cutting back in autumn

Masterclass on: tidying up for winter

- ANNE SWITHINBANK

Q I know the wild look is fashionable, but our small garden is overtaken with growth. Can I get in there and cut back buddlejas, hydrangeas, roses and clematis to tidy things up for winter? Miranda Connelly, Barnet, London

A In some gardens, especially those on the wetter western side of the country, growth has been lavish this season. The wild look may be in fashion but, for smaller plots packed with plants, some management is needed to prevent chaos. I suggest you work your way around, deciding which plants to prune, cut back or reduce before winter. There should still be plenty of cover for wildlife needing to feed, roost and hibernate.

Two shrubs likely to be causing bother are hybrids of Buddleja davidii and lavatera. These make a lot of growth and bloom in the second half of summer. Fortunately, they will not object to a reduction in size now to tidy them up, but leave any hard pruning until late winter or early spring. They will overwinter more successfully with some top growth left on. Rambling roses are usually pruned by cutting out flowered stems after flowering and you can do that now.