Gardening: Time to Tidy Up

It’s an awkward time of year in the garden. Summer’s froth is waning, but autumn’s splendour is still waiting in the wings. Time for a thoughtful pruning session, writes Flo Whitaker 

Roses are some of the hardest working plants in the garden, particularly modern types that continue flowering until the first frosts. As a general rule, it’s inadvisable to prune a plant in flowering mode, so the eager- to-please attitude of repeat-flowerers gives few pruning opportunities. If still actively growing/blooming, my advice is to leave alone. However, come late October, these late-flowerers can be cut back by half - or more if they require substantial re-shaping. Pruning rejuvenates and reduces wind-resistance – a wintry gale can ‘rock’ a plant out of the ground. 

Roses that flower just once in early summer may be fully pruned now. Ramblers and climbers make yards of growth in a season and can be substantially reduced. Remove old, tired stems entirely to make way for new ones. Some roses are noted for their decorative hips and should be left to give a vibrant display and a feast for wildlife. They are tough characters and can be pruned any time in winter, preferably during a non-frosty period. 

 If you haven’t already done so, there’s still time to tidy up lavender plants. Remove faded flower stalks and lightly trim to shape, but don’t be tempted to cut back hard, as older growth seldom re-sprouts. Formal hedges and topiary can be clipped now. Active growth is ceasing, so they’ll keep their neat outlines throughout winter.

Summer-flowering jasmines and honeysuckles make rampant growth which can quickly smother their neighbours. Cut down their tangled stems, leaving a few to regrow next year. Passion flowers and penstemons are best only lightly trimmed now, then cut back in spring as many varieties are borderline hardy and appreciate a ‘frost blanket’ protection of old growth. 

Delphiniums, lupins and other ‘sappy’ herbaceous perennials do nothing to enhance the border so their tattered leaves can be removed at ground level as they’re entering their dormant phase. 

A judicious autumn tidy-up is always a good idea, but don’t be too secateur-happy. Some perennials continue to give visual interest as their blooms fade while also offering shelter and food for wildlife. Allium heads, hydrangea blooms, honesty and nigella seedpods obligingly self-desiccate and can be effectively used in Christmas decorations. 

Hollow lily stems provide cosy accommodation for hibernating ladybirds. Old sedum and rudbeckia flowers take on antique mahogany/brown shades before finally falling apart, while many varieties of ornamental grasses remain good- looking until January.