Pruning Groups
The RHS provide a list of pruning groups to help amateur gardeners decide when and how too prune their plants. The groups listed below is adapted and simplified version to aid our design clients. Any planting plan provided after November 2022 lists the pruning group next to the suggested plant. This is to help our clients successfully establish they're gardens.
Shrubs & Schedule
Trees & Shrubs
Pruning Group1
These hardy plants, a mix of evergreen shrubs and deciduous trees as well as certain deciduous shrubs. The best choice is to leave them, unless any branches show signs of disease or damage, are overcrowded or crossing each other - in which case they can easily be removed. In addition, these varieties bloom on either current year's growths or last season’s shoots.
When to prune: Group 1 should be pruned in late winter or erly spring before fresh growth appears.
How to prune: Light pruning is the key to plant health. Taking out any shoots that are damaged, diseased, too crowded or growing in an undesired direction will ensure your plants get all they need to thrive.
Pruning Group 2
This captivating collection of shrubs offers a vibrant display in spring and early summer, as the flowers grow from strong stems from the previous year.
When to prune: Pruning early-flowering shrubs shortly after they have bloomed promotes the growth of fresh buds that will bring brilliant colour to your garden throughout summer. With pruning taking place during late winter or spring and finishing up in early summer, delicate blooms will appear on new shoots come next season!
How to prune: cutting out any damaged, diseased or dead shoots back to their original point or all the way down to ground level. If there are a lot of stems in one area remove some for ventilation and reduce congestion - weak branches should be completely removed too conserve energy for new growth instead. Depending on type of bush you have, further pruning might be needed.
Pruning Group 3
These shrubs blossom from the previous year's growth, making way for vibrant influx of new stems and sprouts that will often emerge low to the ground. Such prolific blooms are made possible through a continual replacement cycle - where aged branches are removed so newer ones can thrive.
When to prune: Early flowering shrubs add vibrant colours to the garden during late winter to early summer. To ensure another round of colourful blooms next year, pruning should be completed right after flowering, a clever practice giving new growth ample time to develop.
How to prune: To ensure the optimal flowering of early-blooming shrubs, it's essential to prune away any dead or diseased wood. First cut out damaged shoots back to their source or ground level; then remove a few stems close enough for plenty of breathing room and coherent growth; finally snip off weak twiggy branches right at the origin so that your plant can focus on producing strong blooms with healthy roots.
Pruning Group 4
This group of plants usually Hydrangea's produce flowers on last years growth. They should be pruned in mid to late spring once the majority of flowering has finished. Neglected plants may require more drastic pruning to restore them back to health.
When to prune: Group 4 should be pruned in erly to late spring once flowering has finished.
How to prune: Prune by cutting back stems that have become too long or dead and diseased branches.
Trees & Shrubs
Pruning Group 5
Early-flowering deciduous shrubs that require pruning to enhance their vibrance and ensure longevity. In addition, annual trimming encourages strong growth in the form of flourishing shoots—bringing a burst of springtime color year after year!
When to prune: Pruning late winter to early summer depending on the particular shrub you have in your garden, will ensure that its flowers stay vibrant into early spring.
How to prune: To ensure the optimal flowering of early-blooming shrubs, it's essential to prune away any dead or diseased wood. First cut out damaged shoots back to their source or ground level; then remove a few stems close enough for plenty of breathing room and coherent growth; finally snip off weak twiggy branches right at the origin so that your plant can focus on producing strong blooms with healthy roots.
Pruning Group 6
These plants produce flowers from new growth and should be pruned in spring. Pruning these plants too hard can result in a reduction of flower buds, so it is best to only lightly prune them when necessary.
When to prune: Group 6 should be pruned in early to mid spring before new growth appears.
How to prune: Prune by cutting back last years growth, living a cup of buds at the base of each stem. This will encourage flowering but also maintain a healthy structure. Remove any crossing branches and shortening stems that have become too long. This will help maintain structure while reducing the risk of removing flower buds.
Pruning Group 7
These plants are oftern grown for there colourful stems in winter and should be pruned in late winter to early spring before new growth appears. Pruning them back hard will encourage more colourful fast growing upright stems but may result in fewer flowers or fruit.
When to prune: Group 7 should be pruned in late winter to early spring before new growth appears.
How to prune: Prune by cutting back stems to the base of the plant, leaving a few buds at the base of each stem. This will help promote colourful stems.
Pruning Group 8
These plants produce winter, spring and early summer flowers, it is often best to not prune them unless to shape them. Pruning at the wrong time can remove flower buds.
When to prune: If pruning is necessary, it should be done in mid spring to early summer after flowering has finished.
How to prune: Prune by cutting back any crossing branches and shortening stems that have become too long. This will help maintain structure.
Pruning Group 9
shrubs and trees in this group produce flowers from the previous year and this years growth. They require little care and pruning, but if you do need to prune them or reduce the size, it should be done in mid spring after flowering has finished.
When to prune: In spring after risk of frost has passed and flowering has finished.
How to prune: Prune lightly removing dead or damaged branches.
Pruning Group 10
This group of evergreen shrubs flowers from previous years growth in late spring or early summer, or this years growth in late spring or early autumn.
smaller shrubs in this group such as lavender , heather and rosemary cut back after flowering to reduce the size, increase the life and improve flowering.
When to prune: Prune in mid spring.
How to prune: Prune by cutting back any crossing branches and shortening stems that have become too long. This will help maintain structure while promoting flowering.
Climbers & Wall shrubs
Pruning 11
This is a group of very fast growing, climbing shrubs that produce flowers from both this and previus years growth. They most cominly flower in spring or late summer.
New growth will regularly need to be tied to a supporting frame.
When to prune: Prune in winter or early spring after flowering to maintain size, shape and encourage flowering.
How to prune: Prune the branches and foliage where the flowers have grown from to maintain size, cut back longer shoots where necessary to reduce size.
Trees & Shrubs
Pruning 12
This is a group of moderate too fast growing Climbers that can produce a flower from either this or last years growth.
When To Prune: Prune after flowering or in late winter early spring.
How to Prune: Prune by cutting back shoots, leaving 2 or 3 buds for next years flowers and growth.
Pruning 13
This is a group of shrubs that are trained onto walls or trellis. To maintain their size shape on or close to a wall they require annual care.
When to prune: After flowering has finished.
How to prune: Shorten side shoots to 2 or 3 buds from the main frame work and remove any growing towards the wall.