When and what do you prune

idioticlee · Hazel Tree Joined: 31 Oct 2007 Posts: 14 Location: Kerry

I read somewhere that it was good to prune back shrubs in late autumn. This weekend I got lopping and decapitated two roses, a buddleia, my verbena bonariensis, a lavatera, a pittosporum and an indiginous purple fluffy thing (I promise I'll work on my descriptions but fortunately I have the name somewhere and dont need to ask for help with it's I.D.) After a couple of hours of this my much loved neighbour popped her head over the hedgerow and called me an idiot saying I should be pruning in early spring. (Genuinely she is much loved)

Is there a secret rule of thumb as to what gets pruned at what time or do ihave to research each plant individually (I recently learned the Buddleia was supposed to be pruned in Spring)? Have I damaged the plants I hacked on the weekend?

LOL

Joaney · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 3:28 pm Post subject:

Your budlia will be fine it will grow back in spring.
Last autumn my shrubs were "pruned" by 2 donkeys they looked terrible for a while but came on beautifully in spring. Donkeys belong to my loved neighbour. Evil or Very Mad

idioticlee · Hazel Tree Joined: 31 Oct 2007 Posts: 14 Location: Kerry

Thanks Joaney. Sorry for my delay in replying. Budlia already sendingout shoots. The Verbena still looks shell shocked.