With the arrival of spring and summer, the shrubs and other flowering plants in your garden will flourish. But do you know which bushes to prune and when it is advisable to do it? Discover these basic tips with the participation of Hervé Leglantier, Gardener in Hyères, to prune flowering plants and obtain satisfactory results in your garden.
Gardening tip: What plants and shrubs to prune before the arrival of spring?
Electric or manual pruning is a good way to maintain garden maintenance, especially for young plants. However, even established mature plants should undergo this treatment to allow for healthy growth in the spring.
Gardening experts recommend starting the pruning of the three plants that we will discover later in the article specifically at the end of February. This is when the plants are dormant and have slow growth due to cold temperatures. Also, the insects are generally less active, which reduces the risk of infestation. By making the cuts during the February pruning, the plants will not be exposed to infections. Ultimately, all three of these plants will become more beautiful, lush, and full of colorful flowers when pruned at this time.
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Rosebush
Roses add beauty and color to any garden, spreading a unique fragrance. February is the ideal time to prune large-flowered roses and floribunda roses. This will allow your flowers to fully bloom in the spring and will remove the weaker stems entirely.
Clematis
When it comes to a climbing perennial like this one, pruning is light and care should be taken and a thorough cleaning during the month of February.
Clematis is a particularly beautiful plant, giving flowers with intense colors. Few people know, but these species are divided into different groups:
- those who bloom early
- The one that gives a mid-season bloom.
- late bloomers
For the first two, it is best to wait until spring, while the third requires pruning in February.
buddleia
The buddleia – Source: spm
February is undoubtedly the best time to prune the Buddleia. A shrub that offers elongated deep purple flowers with a delicate fragrance.
Pruning is used to stimulate the growth of new shoots, taking care to cut only what is necessary. The plant that grows outdoors can be pruned a lot, unlike others that must always have room to grow in spring. In any case, always go to a professional before pruning the plants.
- Use sharp pruning tools (scissors, saws, etc.).
- The selected area should have a slight slope to the opposite side of the bud to prevent rainwater from collecting or running towards the bud and damaging it.
- Avoid hard pruning.
Learning how and when to prune the plants in our garden takes time because it depends on the type of plants and trees we have planted: ornamental, fruit, horticultural, aromatic shrubs, etc. Each plant has its very specific requirements.
When is it recommended to prune shrubs and plants?
Pruning a plant – Source: spm
Pruning done at the right time greatly improves the appearance of the garden and gives the plants a healthier appearance. Plants reward your hard work with new flowers after a well-done pruning. Although most plants survive without pruning, they live longer, are healthier, and look better if they are pruned regularly.
The ideal period for pruning depends on the type of plant and the period of vegetative recreation. In general, it is recommended to prune in winter or at the end of winter, after severe frosts, so as not to damage the plants.
What are the activities to do in your garden in February?
Preparing the terrain
You can start preparing all the land from the end of February. It is essential that the soils are allowed to settle for two weeks before the first planting, so preparation should begin as soon as the weather is warmer. With rising temperatures, the frost on the soil disappears and the compost can be buried.
Also read: Plant a coin in your pots: no one expects this great result
plant bulbs
If you missed the time to plant spring flower bulbs in the fall, you still have a chance! At the end of winter, flower bulbs can still be planted on frost-free days.
Trim trees and shrubs
Pruning trees and shrubs at the end of winter, especially fruit trees, favors their regeneration and stimulates the formation of flowers. By eliminating poor growth and preserving crown shape, plants can enter a vigorous summer growth phase.
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