Never prune these plants in August if you want them to come back to life next year

There are some plants that you should avoid pruning in August if you want to see them return full and healthy the following a year – experts reveal which ones to steer clear from

While August is a busy month for gardeners, experts caution against pruning these specific plants – or you risk damaging next year’s blooms.

Pruning is one of a gardener’s most important tasks and is generally done to encourage new growth, protect against disease and increase light penetration and air circulation. It also helps plants to maintain their shape and avoid appearing unruly.

However, for some certain shrubs, trees and flowers, trimming this far into the summer can damage them. In some cases, it can even ruin the following year’s blooms, leaving you with a lacklustre display despite your efforts.

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So, which plants should you steer clear of this time of the year? An expert from Ideal Homes reveals which to keep the secateurs away from.

Late-flowering perennials

Perennials are flowers which will return year after year. However, some won’t have finished flowering yet, even if their first blooms have fallen off. For this reason, you should avoid cutting them too early. Some examples include hydrangeas, dahlias, heleniums and and chrysanthemums.

Helena Jones, gardening expert and head commercial at Hedges Direct, told Ideal Homes: “By pruning perennials and shrubs which flower late into the summer months and early autumn…you risk cutting off buds which are still set to flower, resulting in less blooms.”

Spring-flowering perennials

Another type of plant you should hold back on are perennials that flower in spring, as pruning them now risks removing developing buds and ruining next year’s bloom. Some popular examples include rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias.

Early-flowering evergreens

Evergreen plants have foliage that remains green and functional throughout the year. Some of them flower early in the year and will already be producing buds. Pruning them too early risks damaging next year’s foliage and can lead to tender young growth forming which can be susceptible to cold weather.

Apple and pear trees

When it comes to apple and pear trees, it’s important to prune them according to their variety. Apple and pear trees that are cultivated in a restricted form, such as espaliers and cordons, can be pared back in August.

However, Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Centres advised Ideal Homes that “regular bush-shaped fruit trees” such as ‘Conference’ pears and ‘Cox’ apples should be pruned in the winter time while they are dormant.

Pruning apple trees too soon can actually stress them out and leave them more susceptible to frost damage and even disease.