Why Winter Pruning Matters
Winter may seem like a quiet time in the garden, but it’s actually the perfect moment to get ahead with pruning. With the leaves gone, it’s easier to see the structure of your trees and shrubs, making it simpler to remove dead or overcrowded growth. A well-timed winter prune encourages stronger, healthier plants, better flowering, and improved shape – all of which set the stage for a flourishing spring.
If you're in Cheltenham, Bishop’s Cleeve, or the surrounding areas and need expert pruning for your garden, Marcus Bergin Gardening is here to help!
What to Prune in Winter
Winter pruning isn’t a one-size-fits-all task. Some plants thrive with a hard cutback, while others need a light trim or should be left alone entirely. Let’s break it down.
1. Deciduous Trees
Winter is an excellent time to prune many deciduous trees, as they’re dormant, meaning less stress and a lower risk of disease.
What to Cut:
Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches to improve airflow and shape.
Cut back any suckers or water sprouts (vigorous, weak shoots that grow from the base or trunk).
Thin out overcrowded branches to allow more light into the canopy.
Best Trees to Prune Now:
Apple and pear trees (encourages fruiting)
Beech, hornbeam, and rowan
Willow and poplar (can handle a harder prune)
Avoid pruning cherry, plum, and apricot trees now – they are best pruned in summer to prevent silver leaf disease.
2. Shrubs That Benefit from a Winter Cut
Some shrubs appreciate a winter trim to promote better flowering and healthier growth.
Best Shrubs to Prune Now:
Roses – Cut back hybrid teas and floribundas to about a third of their height to encourage strong spring growth.
Wisteria – Reduce summer growth to just two or three buds per stem for better flowering.
Dogwood (Cornus) and Willow (Salix alba ‘Britzensis’ or ‘Yelverton’) – Hard prune to just above the base for vibrant new stems in spring.
Avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs like forsythia, lilac, and camellia now, as you may remove this year’s flower buds.
3. Perennials and Climbers
Perennials often benefit from a good tidy-up in winter, helping to reduce disease and encourage fresh, vigorous growth in spring.
Cut Back Now:
Herbaceous perennials like hostas, daylilies, and astilbes – Trim spent foliage to ground level.
Ornamental grasses – Cut back old growth in late winter before new shoots emerge.
Clematis (Group 3 varieties like Clematis viticella and C. jackmanii) – Prune hard in February to around 30cm above the ground to promote abundant summer blooms.
Leave plants like lavender, rosemary, and hebe until spring, as winter pruning can encourage rot.
Pruning Tools & Tips
Use sharp, clean secateurs or loppers to make clean cuts that heal quickly.
Always cut just above a healthy bud to encourage outward growth.
Remove weak or diseased growth first before shaping.
Dispose of diseased material – don’t compost it!
Need Help with Winter Pruning?
If you’re unsure where to start or want professional care for your trees, shrubs, and perennials, Marcus Bergin Gardening provides expert pruning services across Cheltenham, Bishop’s Cleeve, Winchcombe, and surrounding areas. Get in touch today for a free consultation and let’s get your garden ready for a thriving spring!
📞 Call: 07488 390 576🌿 Visit: www.marcusbergingardening.com
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