circulation . Leave young , healthy branches to create the best chance of a good crop . Autumn-fruiting raspberries should be cut down to the ground so their new stems can bear fruit next year .
Wisteria needs pruning twice per year , once in winter and again in summer , and the winter prune is essential if you want to promote flowering . Cut all wisteria side shoots right back to just three or four buds on the framework of the shape you desire . Next summer you will need to remove most of the whippy growth , which can easily measure a metre long .
Bush roses also benefit from being cut back in November as it reduces the likelihood of ‘ wind rock ’, which can destabilise the roots of the plant . These are generally hardy plants that can be tidied in November , then , before they start growing in the spring , cut back hard to around 40cm tall , depending on the original size and type . Winter pruning is ideal for hybrid tea roses , floribundas and climbers that produce flowers on the new growth , but be gentle with modern shrub roses and ramblers because they prefer to bloom on older wood .
Many deciduous trees and shrubs can also be pruned during the dormant season . It ’ s an ideal time to take out damaged and diseased branches , shape the form , and renovate them to encourage fresh new growth .
Getting to know your plants can be a great pleasure . Try not to treat everything in the same way and avoid what might be termed the ‘ supermarket car park trim ’ where everything is rounded into a mound . You ’ ll gain the best results by allowing each plant to form a naturally beautiful shape and by using techniques to thin it out so that the stems and branches don ’ t crowd each other .
By Caroline Knight
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