If your garden is overgrown in August, you’re not alone!
I’m sure your plants have been soaking up the sun and warmth just like mine have. They’ve had the perfect conditions to grow and thrive, which is why it’s time to give them a little trim now that August is here.
I like to think of it as a summer makeover for my garden!
Prune back those overgrown shrubs, trim off the spent blooms, and give your plants a fresh look before they start gearing up for fall. Not only does it help your garden look sharp, but it also encourages new growth and can keep your plants healthy.
Not sure what plants to prune? Keep reading to find out!
1. Start With Fruit Trees
Fruit trees are great because they give us delicious fruits all summer long, but did you know they need some love and care in August?
Pruning them now helps keep them healthy and it also boosts next year’s harvest (it’s a win-win situation).
I don’t have many fruit trees in my yard, but even a few are enough to get a taste of delicious homegrown fruits (and, of course, I always prune them in August).
Here’s a quick list of trees you might want to prune this month:
• Plums
• Apples
• Cherries
• Peaches
• Pears
Related: 9 Fruit Trees That Can Grow And Thrive Indoors
2. Continue With Spring-Flowering Shrubs
Shrubs that are done with flowering in spring require some trimming during summer.
I usually start by cutting away any damaged stems so there’s more room for new growth. I’ve found loppers to be super handy for this – they make the job super easy (and also make me feel super cool using them).
Flowering-shrubs that should be pruned in summer include:
• Lilacs
• Deutzia
• Philadelphus
• Flowering quince
Related: 6 Tips To Help You Plant A Spring Garden
3. Then, Switch To Those Tender Shrubs
If you’re like me (or honestly, most gardeners), you’ve probably had a few close calls with late frosts spoiling your beautiful plants.
Just like for those spring-flowering shrubs, August pruning helps them come back stronger the next year. You can use secateurs to do most of the job – just cut back the oldest woody stems all the way to the base (this will induce new growth and also prevent frost damage).
These shrubs include:
• Romneya
• Abutilon
• Fuchsias
• Hibiscus syriacus
This might be helpful: These Are The 7 Terrible Mistakes When Pruning Trees And Shrubs You Should Avoid At All Costs
4. Don’t Let Those Climbers Climb Too High
I’m always glad to see my climbing plants reaching to the skies. But sometimes, they tend to reach places you didn’t intend.
If these climbers tried to take over your garden before, then the first thing you’ll have to do is grab your secateurs (they’re your best friend for this job). Then, prune back the trailing stems, leaving just three to four leaves on the new growth.
Some of the climbing plants that need a haircut in August include:
• Wisteria
• Star Jasmine
• Campsis
5. Hedges Need Some Trimming, Too
If your shrubs are starting to look a bit wild, it’s time for a summer trim!
Keeping them in shape not only makes your garden look neat but also keeps the plants healthy. I just use my hand shears and cut back the current seasons’ growth to maintain shape.
If you have a slow-growing shrub, you’ll need to prune it at the start and the end of the summer. Those fast-growing ones will need trimming every six weeks to keep them under control.
These include:
• Thuja
• Leylandii
• Laurel
• Beech
• Box
• Hornbeam
• Privet
Related: How To Make And Maintain Bamboo Hedges: Useful Tips
6. Rambling Roses For The Finishing Touch
If you’ve got rambling roses in your garden, you know they’re real show-stoppers, often putting on a spectacular flower display in June.
However, they can grow up to 5 meters in a year, which can quickly turn into a mess if not pruned properly.
You already know where this is going – grab your secateurs and start by removing anything dead, diseased, or dying. Also cut back the branches that are spreading too far. Then, tie in the new vigorous shoots to make sure they flower next year.
These include ramblings roses such as:
• Rosa ‘Kew Rambler’
• Rosa ‘The Albrighton Rambler’
• Rosa ‘Rambling Rector’
• Rosa filipes ‘Kiftsgate’
• Rosa ‘The Albrighton R
You see, it’s a busy August when it comes to pruning! You have to continuously cut back your garden plants.
And don’t look at it like a terrible task, but rather be happy that your plants have grown bigger and stronger!
Also read: 3 Steps For Pruning Roses In November To Avoid Diseases