In Scotland, where summer seems fleeting due to recent dreary weather, it’s essential to prepare gardens for the upcoming season change. As autumn approaches, with its colorful leaves and seasonal treats like gingerbread lattes, now is the time to get your garden ready.
Summer is the ideal time for gardening, as the sunlight helps plants grow lush and vibrant. However, to prevent them from becoming overgrown and cluttering your outdoor space, regular pruning is crucial. Pruning during the summer also ensures that plants remain capable of blooming in the future, as many plants go dormant in the colder months.
Gardening expert Louise Findlay-Wilson, writing on her blog Blooming Lucky, outlines three key plants to prune before summer ends to ensure they bloom beautifully next year:
1. Lavender
English lavender, known for its hardiness and longevity, requires “firm pruning” in August to maintain its appearance. Louise advises: “Cut back quite hard to prevent the plant from becoming ‘leggy,’ but avoid cutting into old wood, as this can reduce its flowering potential for next year.” While the plant might look less attractive immediately after pruning, avoiding removal of green shoots will result in a healthier, more floriferous lavender next year.
2. Wisteria
Louise emphasizes the importance of pruning wisteria before summer ends to prevent it from becoming a tangled mess. Wisteria should be pruned twice a year, with the first pruning in August and the second in January or February.
3. Rambling Roses
For rambling roses, Louise suggests pruning in August by cutting back a third of the growth that has flowered and tying the remaining stems to supports.
Louise also provides a straightforward pruning guide. Start by tracing each long shoot of new growth back to the base and count five buds. Cut the plant at an angle just beyond the fifth bud. Additionally, remove stems with old seed pods to keep the garden looking fresh. Dispose of the cuttings in a compost heap.
These pruning tips will help ensure your garden remains healthy and vibrant as it transitions into the next season.