Although May is the time when everything starts to bloom, it is also when we need to be a little harsh and cut back some varieties that are already or currently flowering.
Because it seems counter-intuitive Pruning plants in winter Considered more, but often a little attention now will help shape and grow them for the future.
What you will need
1. Lilac
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Lilac is a beautiful variety that is currently blooming. The aroma is heavenly, and the large cone-shaped heads are a joy to have in your garden.
Pruning Lilac Varieties The key is to get them in shape for the coming year. ‘Once the blooms have dropped, get in there and pull out about a third of the oldest stem at the base. Leave it too long, and you’re inadvertently removing next year’s buds,’ says Julian.
Lucy Bradley, gardening and greenhouse expert Easy Gardening Irrigation, Agrees, ‘Pruning in May gives you the perfect opportunity to remove damaged, diseased or crossing branches which will enable light and air to reach the center of the plant freely and help keep it strong and healthy.’
Gardening Express has a dwarf Korean lilac tree for £29.99; They are ideal for patios in containers or to plant in your borders. If you prefer the white variety, then check out Amazon’s Plant Theory Madame Lemoine Common Lilac, £29.99, which comes in a three-litre pot.
2. Magnolia
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One of those first signs of spring, the ancient magnolia gives us a spectacular show of large, fragrant flowers, predominantly white and pink.
Late May is ideal for light shaping and a touch of pruning. ‘Each year, once flowering has finished, identify some old stems that can be removed without too much impact on the bush as a whole,’ says Nick. ‘The amount removed depends a lot on the growth rate of each type of shrub, as well as the height you want, but it’s usually about a fifth of the stem.’
Get organized and Order a classic looking magnolia Plant now – Dobby’s has the Magnolia x Solange variety, which is popular for picking. You can buy a three-litre pot for £34.99. For the deep pink variety, this Magnolia Susan is a good buy at £17.99 from Gardening Express.
3. Rose
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What can we say about roses? Oh-so-beautiful, and in early May when your garden roses begin to bloom.
To keep them at their best for as long as possible, you need to give them some pruning.
Tim Clapp, Verveni Head of the range and a qualified botanist, says May pruning should only be a ‘light touch’, ie Pruning roses is an autumn job. Remove spent flowers to encourage more new flowers to grow and bloom. Roses go dormant for a few months, so deadhead your buds before a new rose emerges.’
Richard Barker, Horticulturist and Commercial Director LBS Horticulture, Agrees, ‘When pruning roses, you should focus on removing dead, damaged and diseased wood, but avoid cutting the plant too hard as you may remove emerging flower buds or delay blooming.’
Rose centipede lemon is a beautiful variety for container gardens because it has a beautiful nature and beautiful fragrance. You can buy a 9cm pot from Suttons for £14.99. A good rose is a creeper variety Zephyrin Drohin which comes in mid-pink color and has fragrant double flowers, which. Buy from Parkers for £6.99 for a two-year-old fully rooted plant.
4. Rhododendron and Azalea
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Rhododendrons and azaleas come from the same family, so if you have the latter, the same pruning advice applies. Azaleas are like a smaller version.
‘May is a great time to prune rhododendrons, as they are usually after flowering,’ suggests Richard. ‘Pruning the plant soon after flowering will reduce the risk of cutting next year’s blooms, as rhododendrons set buds in summer.’ then, In late summer, you can take cuttings from your rhododendron tree.
‘Azaleas are beautiful, low-maintenance, compact shrubs that add bright color to your garden in spring,’ says Lucy. Once the flowers are cut you only have three weeks, make sure you cut cleanly above the knot so that you encourage new stems to grow, as this is what will grow and where the flower buds form for next year.’
For a subtle performance, consider Annika Rhododendron from Gardening Express. It has vivid pink blooms and glossy dark leaves, £29.99 for a five liter potted plant. Looking for a punchy look? Azalea Geisha orange variety is bold, beautiful and perfect for rockery, from £29.99, Dobies.
5. Lavender
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‘To prevent lavender from becoming old and woody, resulting in sparse plants with fewer blooms and shorter lives, you need to give them a light sprinkling in spring and a hard pruning in late summer, early autumn,’ says Lucy.
A popular cottage garden plant, Lavender is a super plant that provides fragrance as well as shelter for bees and other insects. However, it can get out of control very quickly.
Julian agrees, ‘As new growth is coming in, give the whole plant a light sprinkling; You’re aiming to take about a third of that fresh green growth, adjusting the shape and preventing it from flopping open in the center. Lavender will not regenerate from old wood like most shrubs. If a plant is already very woody and exposed, the honest answer is that no amount of pruning will save it.’
B&Q’s Angustifolia Lavender comes in a six-pack for £17.99. It is ideal for use in borders, containers and sensory gardens.
For a more compact look with deep purple-blue flowers, check Munstead variety from Gardening Express, 12 at £7.50 each. It is great for creating a lavender hedge.
A little extra care and attention at this time of year will pay dividends. Prune properly Not only does it add shape and keep unruly stems in order, but it’s also good for checking insects and disease.
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