Winter Pruning Guide
Gardening may live in many people’s minds as a summer hobby, but more adept gardeners know that it takes year-round maintenance to get the perfect yard to bloom.
Winter pruning is just one of the tasks that you can tackle during the cooler months, when the harsh sun hides away and you can work with the framework of the plant.
If you’re ready to put on a jacket and get outside, then here’s how you can prune your garden in winter to help it thrive as the temperatures rise.
Why to Prune in Winter
Aside from the benefits you’ll gain from getting some fresh air, there are some added advantages to picking up your pruning tools in winter.
Easier access
As flowers and foliage fall off with the drop in temperature, the frame of the plant is more exposed, giving you easier visibility and access to the stems. Thanks to this, you can assess which bits need to be removed to support the plant in growing back healthier for the springtime.
Plant strength
Winter pruning achieves more than simply removing dead or dying plant parts for aesthetic reasons. As some plants have heavier blooms, encouraging the frame to produce new, stronger growth will also help the plant frame and structure when those new flowers blossom.
Seasonal flowers
There are many plant species that rely on winter pruning to flourish. For summer and autumn-flowering plants, winter pruning sets them up for success before they begin to bloom for the season. If you’re unsure as to when to prune a particular plant, a good rule of thumb is to take on the task right after its final blooms fall. Spring and winter-flowering plants should be left alone at this point, as pruning them now can damage the newly-emerging buds!
Keep control
Pruning your plants in winter not only helps to maintain the plant structure, but it also enables you to manage the plant’s growing space. When left unattended, they can begin to sprawl, spread roots, and take up more space, which is a lot more work to get under control than pruning is!
Aesthetic
You might be wondering about evergreen plants which keep their foliage year-round, and when these should be pruned. For these, parts of their foliage can turn brown or die during the winter, and you can remove these bits for aesthetic, and to help promote new, healthier growth.
Plants to Prune
Now that you know why to prune plants in winter, here are some examples of the popular Aussie garden plants, which can be pruned during the colder months.
Flowers
- Rose
- Butterfly bush
- Hydrangea
- Wisteria
- Clematis
- Abelia
If you dream of summer days with delicate petals swaying softly in the breeze and bringing your yard to life, then you should be giving them some extra time and attention in winter.
Fruit
- Pear
- Apple
- Cherry
Fruit trees and plants should always be pruned in winter. This is because it plays a part in training the plant to grow in your desired shape, and can help prevent damage to the plant by cold, frost, or sunburn.
Our Experts
Whether you’re starting from just the soil, or you already have a stunning garden vista, there’s a lot of work that goes into growing and maintaining your yard. At Jim’s Mowing NZ, our experts are always here to lend a helping hand, offer expert advice and pruning tips, or to step in and get your garden in tip-top shape. Contact us to find out more about our services, and how we can create a plan that’s tailored to your needs.
