Frances Tophill: pruning

Removing tangled stems

Rambler roses often form a tangle of thorny stems if they’re not pruned annually. To remove longer stems, cut them off at the base then into smaller sections that are easier to untangle. Any remaining hips can be placed on bird tables or displayed indoors in vases.

Other plants to prune now

While shrubs and trees are dormant, you can get started on winter pruning, especially on plants that bleed a lot of sap if pruned in late winter.

ACERS These bleed excessively if pruned in summer. They shouldn’t need much pruning, but if required, do it now while they’re dormant. BLACKCURRANTS These fruit best on young wood, so prune out up to one-third of the oldest stems to encourage new shoots.

MULBERRIES Prune before January to avoid bleeding. With young trees, remove any branches on the lower part of the trunk, to lift the canopy.

HAZELS, SWEET CHESTNUTS AND WILLOWS To coppice these, cut right back to a stump or thin out the stems by one-third to one-fifth.

Don’t prune these now

✗LEYLAND CYPRESS HEDGES If pruned during winter, evergreens such as this can suffer ill health or even die. They should generally be pruned no later than September. ✗ LAVENDER Delicate Mediterranean and tender shrubs are susceptible to frost damage if pruned late in the year. ✗ PRUNUS Plums, cherries, apricots, peaches and even the seemingly indestructible blackthorn are vulnerable to silver leaf disease. This is more prevalent in winter and can enter via pruning cuts. ✗ SHRUB ROSES These are best pruned at the end of winter, although you can reduce their height a little now to avoid wind-rock.