Essential August Garden Tasks: Expert Tips for Pruning Key Plants.
August presents a prime opportunity for garden maintenance, with the milder weather creating ideal conditions for essential tasks. One crucial job this month is pruning, which helps maintain the vibrancy of your garden’s blooms and ensures plants stay healthy throughout the year.
David Mitchell, a gardening expert at Homebase, emphasizes the importance of this task: “Pruning, along with regular deadheading, promotes robust plant growth and keeps your garden looking its best all summer.”
Here are three plants to focus on pruning this August to ensure a flourishing garden year-round:
Wisteria
Wisteria, if left unchecked, can become invasive. To manage its growth effectively, prune wisteria twice a year: once in winter and again in August. Summer pruning is particularly important. Trim the current year’s shoots back to about six leaves each. Julia Omelchenko, a botanical expert from Plantum, explains, “This helps control the vine’s size and encourages the development of flower buds.”
Lavender
Lavender, which blooms from June to September, should be pruned in August. Start by removing the spent flower stems, then trim the new growth back to about two or three inches. Julia Omelchenko advises against cutting older, woody branches as this can damage the plant. It’s better to prune earlier in the season to avoid exposing lavender to potential winter damage.
Pyracantha
Commonly known as firethorn, pyracantha is a spiky shrub that stands out with its bright orange or red berries. Whether used as a hedge or a climber, it requires careful pruning to maintain its shape. In August, focus on trimming new shoots back to the base, leaving two or three leaves to keep the plant tidy. For pyracantha used as a hedge, more frequent pruning may be necessary to prevent it from becoming unruly.
By following these expert pruning tips, you can help your garden stay vibrant and healthy, ensuring a beautiful landscape for the seasons ahead.