We and our advertising partners use cookies on this site. Please see our Terms of Use for further details.

Garden.Help Logo Graphic

About Us | Terms of Use

Diagnose plant problems and treat garden pests

Gardening News

General Help

Specialists

Have a go...

Win and Save

Interactive Tools

Plant Doctor


More...

Home / Projects /

How to: Maintenance Pruning


Difficulty: 2 / 5

You will need: Secateurs, pruning saw

On ornamental plants (not fruit) there are a few basic reasons why you should prune, best remembered as the 4 Ds: Dead, Dying, Damaged and Diseased. Next, remove crossing or rubbing branches, any that have reverted to green and for shape.

Best time to do it:

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Step One:

Dead wood is easiest to see and remove in summer. Cut back to healthy, pale-coloured wood.

Step 1 of How to: Maintenance Pruning

Step Two:

Die-back is common after early pruning where a rogue frost can catch you out. Cut back to just above a healthy bud.

Step 2 of How to: Maintenance Pruning

Step Three:

Larger dead stems should be removed with a pruning saw, working very carefully so you do not damage nearby shoots.

Step 3 of How to: Maintenance Pruning

Step Four:

Green shoots on a variegated plant should be removed, as they contain more chlorophyll and are stronger. If left, they will take over and you will lose the variegation.

Step 4 of How to: Maintenance Pruning

Related FAQs


Ask a gardening question:


Looking for more garden ideas for this month? Try another project or watch a gardening video for some more inspiration.

Latest Gardening News



Gardening Projects for September


Learn about How to make the most of your dahlias
Learn about  How to: Maintenance Pruning
How to: Maintenance Pruning

Difficulty: 2 / 5

Learn about How to turf a lawn
Learn about How to Store Apples
How to turf a lawn

Difficulty: 3 / 5

How to Store Apples

Difficulty: 1 / 5

Gardening Ideas


Plant Specialists

Diagnose orchid plant problems and improve orchid care
Orchid Doctor
Diagnose fruit plant pests and fruit plant problems
Soft Fruit Doctor
Do a soil test to find out your soil type
Soil Doctor
Diagnose pest and disease problems with fruit trees and bushes.
Top Fruit Doctor


Gardening Tools

Learn which plant pests attack which types of fruit.
Fruit Pests
Learn when and how to prune different types of plants
Pruning Guide
Learn which plants will grow in your soil
Soil pH Guide
Learn when and how to plant different vegetable seeds
Vegetable Planting Guide