Autumn gardening: how to prune plants correctly

Autumn gardening requires caution regarding plant pruning to avoid reducing future blooms or causing frost damage. Certain spring-flowering shrubs, such as Forsythia, lilac, jasmine, and Weigela, should not be pruned in the autumn because they form flower buds on wood created during the previous growing season. Pruning them too late can remove these buds.

Similarly, Hydrangea macrophylla (bigleaf hydrangea) often forms buds on older wood, making autumn pruning risky for next season's flowers. For woody plants like lavender, rosemary, and sage, it is advised not to prune too deeply into old wood during this period.