In August, your garden becomes a sanctuary, whether you’re dining outside, barbecuing or just soaking up the sunshine.
However, it is also the best time to care for your plants. Pruning, the most important task of the month, plays a crucial role in maintaining the beauty and health of your garden.
In addition to improving the appearance of the garden, pruning helps stimulate growth and prevent fungal diseases.
Homebase gardening expert David Mitchell told Netmums: “This simple but effective task, combined with regular deadheading, will promote healthy plant growth and keep your garden looking its best all summer long.”
Here are three plants you should prune this month to keep your garden blooming year-round:
Wisteria
If wisteria is not cared for properly, it can become quite invasive. To keep it in check, it is recommended to cut the wisteria twice a year: once in winter and again in August.
Summer pruning is crucial in controlling its growth. Aim to cut the current year’s shoots back to about six leaves.
Plantum botanist Julia Omelchenko explains to Country Living that “this helps control the size of the vine and encourages the development of flower buds.”
Lavender
Lavender blooms from June to September, which means it is best to cut it in August.
Start by cutting off the spent flower stems, then cut the new growth back to about two to three inches.
Julia recommends avoiding pruning older, woody branches, as this can damage the plants.
Pruning early in the season is better because delaying just before frost can expose lavender to more winter damage.
Pyracantha
Pyracantha, commonly called fire thorn, is a thorny shrub that dazzles with its bright orange or red berries.
Whether grown as a shrub or climber, it requires careful pruning to maintain its attractive shape.
In August, focus on cutting new shoots. Julia suggests cutting these young growths back to the base, leaving two or three leaves to keep them tidy.
Pruning the pyracantha used as a hedge may be necessary more often so that it does not become unruly.
