Gardening guide: Best plants to prune in August

August is identified as an ideal time for pruning various types of plants, including deciduous trees, climbers, and summer-flowering shrubs. According to Helena Jones, Commercial Director of Hedges Direct, pruning during the summer rather than winter can help maintain plant shape and stimulate new flowering for the following growing season.

Specific plants recommended for pruning in August include:

• Wisteria: Should be pruned in August to keep it tidy and again in winter to encourage flowering branches. • Honeysuckle: Long, trailing stems can be shortened, leaving three to four leaves, while old stems near the ground should be removed to encourage new growth. • Jasmine: Summer-blooming jasmine should have its flowered stems cut back to a healthy lower side shoot. • Hawthorn: Once the main frame is established, side shoots grown during the year can be trimmed.