Outlined below are 8 different ways in which Burncoose Nurseries advises, recommends or suggest that you should/ could prune very different types of plants with different attributes and habits in different ways.
There is no absolutely right answer for pruning an individual plant in a variety of different locations in your garden. What we present here are sensible guidelines that are generally accepted by professional gardeners and horticulturalists.
Nor are we trying to recommend that pruning of all (or even most) plants should take place every year. Some plants will benefit from an annual pruning and some may only need attention every few years. A degree of common sense has to apply.
We have therefore developed general pruning guidelines suitable for 8 ‘types’ of plant. However, as you will then see within the detailed plant information and advice about every plant featured on our website, we have also used different sketches representing different pruning categories.
If you have any uncertainties about how to prune a particular plant yourself and cannot find a satisfactory answer on our website or in the individual plant Care Articles do please call the nursery or send us an email preferably with a picture of the plant which may need to be pruned.
Burncoose pruning group 1
Suitable for: Deciduous and evergreen trees, and some deciduous shrubs.
Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Prune wayward or crossing branches to maintain a healthy framework.
When: When dormant in the late winter/early spring. Some in the summer/autumn to prevent bleeding of sap.
Burncoose pruning group 2
Suitable for: Deciduous shrubs and trees that flower in Spring or early Summer on previous year's growth, including plants that produce new growth at or near ground level.
Pruning: Prune flowered shoots to strong buds. Cut back approximately 1/4 of old shoots to the base to promote replacement growth.
When: Annually, after flowering.
Burncoose pruning group 3
Suitable for: Deciduous shrubs that flower in the Summer or Autumn on previous year's growth, or deciduous shrubs that flower in late Winter-Spring on previous year's growth.
Pruning: Trim off old flowers to the first bud beneath flower head. Cut back 1/3 of the oldest stems to promote replacement growth.
When: Annually
Burncoose pruning group 4
Suitable for: Deciduous trees and shrubs that flower on current year's growth or are grown for winter stem effect.
Pruning: Hard prune to a low permanent framework.
When: Annually in early Spring.
Burncoose pruning group 5
Suitable for: Evergreen shrubs that require minimal pruning.
Action: Trim or lightly cut back shoots that spoil symmetry. Deadhead regularly.
When: Annually after flowering.
Burncoose pruning group 6
Suitable for: Evergreen shrubs or climbers that need little to no pruning.
Action: Trim back shoots that spoil symmetry and to fit available space.
When: Annually after flowering if on previous year's growth, or in later Winter or Spring if flowering on current year's growth, or as requires.
Burncoose pruning group 7
Suitable for: Evergreen shrubs that flower on previous year's growth in Spring, or current year's growth in late Summer/Autumn.
Action: Cut back flowered shoots to within 1 inch of previous year's growth.
When: Annually after flowering or in Spring if flowering on current year's growth.
Burncoose pruning group 8
Suitable for: Wall trained shrubs and less vigorous climbers.
Action: For climbers 'spur prune' by cutting back 3-4 buds of the permanent framework. For wall trained shrubs cut back flowered shoots to within 2-4 buds of permanent framework.
When: Annually after flowers if on previous year's growth, or in late Winter or Spring if on current year's growth.