Evergreen and deciduous shrubs - light pruning Pruning group 1 Light pruning to tidy up, December to February. Heavy pruning can affect the look of the plant Remove diseased, damaged, congested or crossing shoots or stems. Shoots that are growing in unwanted directions can also be pruned out. For hedging - cut out vertical leaders from the top of young plants at the required height to encourage bushy, horizontal growth - trim hedge sides and top every few months or as required field maple Acer campestre Young plants planted to form hedge (Area N) Native tree species Areas G, N hawthorn Crataegus monogyna Young plants planted to form hedge (Area N) Native tree species spindle tree Euonymus europaeus large, deciduous native shrub distinctive red fruits Area A Broom Genista Yellow pea like flowers mid-late Summer brush-like foliage spiny stems Holly Ilex aquifolium Various varieties throughout park Variegated varieties - prune out leaves that have reverted to green Can be pruned to hedge Areas A, E, G, I Area I, N Area A
Evergreen and deciduous shrubs - light pruning Pruning group 1 (continued) Light pruning to tidy up, December to February. Heavy pruning can affect the look of the plant Remove diseased, damaged, congested or crossing shoots or stems. Shoots that are growing in unwanted directions can also be pruned out. For hedging - cut out vertical leaders from the top of young plants at the required height to encourage bushy, horizontal growth - trim hedge sides and top every few months or as required PIttosporum Pittosporum evergreen glossy leaves with wavy edges Chinese privet Ligustrum sinense dense evergreen shrub clusters of small white flowers and dark green leaves viburnum Viburnum davidii, rhytidoltyllum evergreen shrubs V. dav. - low growing with shiny, lined leaves V. rhy. - tall with wrinkled, dusty leaves; dust can be an irritant christmas berry Photinia Red Robin Upright low maintenance shrub Red leaves on new growth Areas A, B, G, I Snowberry/ coralberry Symphoricarpos alba/ S. orbiculatus flowers in summer dense, twiggy shrubs S. alba - large shrub S. orbiculatus - low growing, spreading Areas A, G, I, K, M Prune diagonally to allow water to run off with a clean cut to minimise risk of infection
Deciduous early flowering shrubs Pruning group 2 Flowers appear on the previous year s growth Prune immediately after flowering to allow new growth for next year s display Cut back flowered growth to strong young shoots lower down. Each year cut out up to 20 percent of ageing stems to near the base, to keep bush open and uncongested Remove diseased, damaged, congested or crossing shoots or stems. Shoots that are growing in unwanted directions can also be pruned out. flowering quince Chanomeles x superba flowers in spring spiny, deciduous shrub Areas G, O Shrubby honeyuckle Lonicera nitida Baggensens Gold flowers in spring dense, low growing shrub mock orange Philadelphus flowers in late spring to early summer flowers white and scented various varieties in park large shrub Areas A, B, I spiraea Spiraea japonica flowering deciduous shrub weigela Weigela florida Variegata flowers late spring to early summer red/pink flowers Areas A, B, G, I Area P Areas A, O
Deciduous late flowering shrubs Pruning group 6 Flowers appear on the current year s growth after mid summer Prune early - mid spring (March - April) to give new growth time to develop for flowering. Winter pruning leaves new shoots at risk from frosts. Cut back last year s flowering stems to a couple of buds above the older, woody framework. Remove thin, weak and dead stems. Remove diseased, damaged, congested or crossing shoots or stems. Shoots that are growing in unwanted directions can also be pruned out. butterfly bush Buddleja davidii fast growing shrub with bright purple or white scented, panicles of flowers which are popular for butterflies Area K ST johns wort Hypericum fast growing shrub long flowering season FALSE SPIRAEA Sorbaria fast growing, suckering shrub flowers are white and in showy clusters at the end of branches Periwinkle Vinca robust shade loving ground cover blue flowers Prune diagonally to allow water to run off with a clean cut to minimise risk of infection Keep secateurs, loppers and saws clean Area P Area F
Shrubs with dramatic leaves or stems Pruning group 7 Harsh pruning required to encourage young, colourful new growth or large leaves. Cut back every couple of years in February - March Coppicing - (stool) cut all stems to 5-10cm above ground, Pollarding - cut all stems to 60-90cm above ground (depending on previous pruning) dogwood Cornus colourful stems in winter coppice every couple of years Distinctive leaves with smooth edge Areas I, O Smokebush Cotinus open flowers large leaves coppice every couple of years Hop, golden hop Humulus lupulus, H. l. Aurea climber with large, lobed leaves green or golden cut to ground level in autumn or spring annually Areas B, K elder Sambucus nigra white flowers in spring; berries in late summer large leaves pollard every couple of years Areas I, O Prune diagonally to allow water to run off with a clean cut to minimise risk of infection Keep secateurs, loppers and saws clean
Early flowering shrubs Pruning group 8 Flowers appear on the previous year s growth Prune lightly immediately after flowering Remove thin, weak and dead stems. Remove diseased, damaged, congested or crossing shoots or stems. Shoots that are growing in unwanted directions can also be pruned out. Prune out stems that make the plant too high or wide, or affect the overall shape barberry Berberis darwinii, julianae, thunbergii slow growing, dense evergreens spiny stems leaves may be spiny, or small and rounded with toothed edges Areas A, G, K, L, O, P Brachyglottis Sunshine spreading, dense evergreen small greyish leaves felty underneath bright yellow flowers in Autumn and Summer box Buxus balearica, sempiverans slow growing, dense evergreens small, rounded leaves Areas A, P mexican orange blossom Choisya ternata evergreen scented leaves and flowers Areas A, G, I cotoneaster Cotoneaster damerii, conspicuous, horizontalis small leaved branched shrubs small flowers and showy berries Euonymus Euonymus fortunei evergreen variegated leaves Area A Areas A, P
Early flowering shrubs Pruning group 8 (continued) Flowers appear on the previous year s growth Prune lightly immediately after flowering Remove thin, weak and dead stems. Remove diseased, damaged, congested or crossing shoots or stems. Shoots that are growing in unwanted directions can also be pruned out. Prune out stems that make the plant too high or wide, or affect the overall shape checkerberry Gaultheria procumbens slow growing, dense evergreens small, rounded leaves Areas A, P oregan grape Mahonia spiny leaves yellow flowers, blue berries can be pruned harshly Areas A, B, G, I, M rhododendron Rhododendron small leaved branched shrubs small flowers and showy berries Christmas box Sarcococca evergreen, spiny leaves yellow flowers, blue/ black berries prune more harshly than other group 8 plants Areas A, B, G, I, M Japanese snowball Viburnamum opulus, plicatum f. tomenasum deciduous viburnum white flowers
Evergreen late flowering shrubs Pruning group 9 Flowers appear on the previous or current year s growth Prune mid - late spring, avoiding frost damage to new shoots Prune lightly to improve shape Remove diseased, damaged, congested or crossing shoots or stems. Shoots that are growing in unwanted directions can also be pruned out. escallonia Escallonia evergreen flowers in summer small, toothed leaves Areas G, O hairy canary clover Lotus semi evergreen shrub hairy leaves pea like flowers sunny, sheltered position japanese Aralia Fatsia japonica distinctive lobed, glossy leaves small white flowers followed by small black fruits trim back mid-late Spring if necessary Area A veronica Hebe albicans, saliciflia flowers in spring dense, low growing shrub Area P LAurel Prunus laurocerasus, lusitanica large, glossy leaves can be pruned back more harshly if required Areas A, I elaeagnus x ebbingei Elaeagnus distinctive variegated dark green glossy leaves with golden centre
Evergreen shrubs Pruning group 10 Prune yearly to keep plants compact Cut back flowering stems to 2cm above older growth May flower on current or previous year s growth (see each plant) Older, woody plants are diffcult to rejuvenate; after 10 years plants are likely to need replacing Remove thin, weak and dead, diseased, damaged stems. heather Calluna spreading, shrubby evergreen prune early autumn after flowering shrubby cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa semi evergreen shrub flowers on current year s growth prune March - April Area A Lavender Lavandula scented shrub prune early autumn after flowering Area K Area P
Herbaceous Plants Perennials Flowers appear on the current year s growth Remove dead/ dying foliage after flowering Plant new herbaceous perennials in October when the soil is still warm but moister than in summer months Hoe borders to prevent weeds Can be transplanted if they become too big for their position Iris Iris foetissima flowers in summer orange berries in autumn long, strap like leaves remove dead/ dying leaves in autumn Geranium Geranium semi evergreen remove old flower stems and old leaves in autumn to Area K Area E Walllflower Erysimum flowers Spring/ Summer trim lightly after flowering - early autumn
Grasses Prune yearly to keep plants compact Remove thin, weak and dead, diseased, damaged stems. Prune in early spring before new growth appears, but retaining structure throughout winter months REEDS spreading, shrubby evergreen Area A (near the shed) Black bamboo Phyllostachys nigra semi evergreen shrub remove debris at the base of the clumps remove dead, weak or damaged stems in spring by cutting at ground level Area I PAmpas Cortaderia large grass evergreen grassy foliage remove old flower heads and damaged foliage in the spring Area C
Roses Prune 5mm/ 1/4 above a bud or side shoot to Cut out dead/ diseased stems back Cut out spindly and crossing stems Aim for well-spaced stems to encourage free air flow On established roses, cut out old wood and saw away old stubs that have failed to produce new shoots RAMBLING and CLIMBING ROSES Climbing habit Ramblers - flower in June; Prune in August/ September Climbers - flower all summer; Prune in late autumn/ winter Cut out old, woody stems Leave around 6 young stems and prune 1/3 off each to encourage growth SHRUB ROSE Rosa rugosa suckering shrub with many fine thorns on stems Prune late summer after flowering Keep the plants free of dead, diseased and damaged wood, crossing or rubbing branches, or spindly growth Cut out older branches from the centre to avoid build up of old wood Area K
Climbers Prune yearly to keep plants in shape Remove thin, weak and dead, diseased, damaged stems. Prune out stems that make the plant too high or wide, or affect the overall shape of the plant JasminE Jasminum officinale scented white flowers all summer prune early autumn after flowering cut out old thin shoots can be cut back in summer if it is growing too vigorously boston IVY Parthenocissus tricuspidata deciduous climber, bright autumn leaf colour vigorous prune in winter - cut back as required to keep to the space available! can be cut back in summer if it is growing too vigorously Hop, golden hop Humulus lupulus, H. l. Aurea climber with large, lobed leaves green or golden cut to ground level in autumn or spring annually with a clean cut to minimise risk of infection Areas B, K