Pruning and Caring for Trees and Shrubs in Autumn

 

Pruning Trees

Pruning trees in Autumn is crucial to maintain their health and structure. With leaves turning, it’s easier to spot deadwood and disease.

• Remove Deadwood: Eliminate any dead or damaged branches to prevent disease spread and reduce the risk of storm damage.
• Light Pruning: Young trees benefit from light pruning to encourage proper growth. Avoid heavy cuts that could stress the tree.
• Disease Inspection: Check for signs of disease, such as discoloured leaves or fungal growth, and treat promptly to save the tree.

 

 

Pruning Roses

 

Roses are a beloved feature in many UK gardens, and September is a critical time to give them the attention they need to thrive next season, don’t forget your thick gloves! 

• Pruning Bush Roses: For bush roses, focus on cutting back dead or diseased wood. Trim back weak or crossing stems, leaving the stronger ones to carry blooms next year.
• Caring for Rambling Roses: Rambling roses, known for their vigorous growth, need special attention in September. After their main flowering period, prune back long, unruly stems. Remove any dead or damaged wood and tie in new shoots to your support structure. This encourages healthy growth and abundant flowering next summer.
• Deadheading: Continue deadheading your roses to encourage a final flush of blooms before winter. 
• Feeding and Mulching: After pruning, feed your roses with a balanced fertiliser to support root development. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base to conserve moisture and protect the roots during the colder months.

 

Shape up Topiary

 

 

Autumn is a great time to trim up and keep topiary neat and encourage dense growth. Evergreens such as privet, box and euonymus will benefit greatly from a shape up. 

 

 

 

Top Tip; Remember to place a sheet on the ground before cutting to help with leaf clearance! 

 

Nurture Early-Flowering Shrubs

Early-flowering shrubs, such as Camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas should be kept well hydrated and mulched in hot weather, drier conditions can prevent next year’s buds from forming. 

 

 

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Hedge Trimming and Maintenance Tips for September

 

Hedges play a vital role in UK gardens, offering privacy and shelter for wildlife. September is your last chance to trim hedges before winter, particularly useful for fast-growing hedges such as Leylandii. Be sure to check for nesting birds prior to trimming and where possible trim late in the month to avoid the main nesting season. 

 

• Final Trim: Give your hedges a neat trim to keep them tidy through winter. Be careful of late-nesting birds.
• Shaping and Thinning: Shape and thin your hedges to ensure light and air reach the interior, promoting healthy growth.
  • • • • • Mulching: Apply mulch at the base of your hedges to retain moisture and protect roots from cold weather.

 

Check out our guide for How and when to Mulch for further reading! 

 

 

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Enhancing Wildlife Habitats in Your Garden This September

 

Supporting wildlife is essential as the seasons change. September is the perfect time to create habitats that will help wildlife survive the colder months.

 

• Birdhouses: Clean existing birdhouses and install new ones to offer birds a safe winter roost.
• Provide water for wildlife: Make plenty of fresh, clean water available for birds and small mammals. Putting shallow rainwater sources at ground level to mimic puddles. 
• Protect fruits and animals: Keep netting used to cover soft fruits taut, well anchored and free from holes to prevent accidental trapping of birds and hedgehogs. 
• Give Birds a fruity treat: Offer windfall apples to the birds – cut up fallen or bruised apples and leave them on a bird table to provide a fruity treat for garden birds. 

 

Learn more about How to Attract Wild Life into your garden with trees.

 

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General Garden Tidying Tips for September

Prepare your garden for autumn by tidying up and protecting plants. 

• Watch out for watering: September can still be surprisingly warm and dry, some plants will still need watering to keep them in good condition, especially new and container plants, shrubs and trees. 
• Leaf Clearing: Regularly clear fallen leaves to prevent slippery paths and lawns. Add them to your compost.
• Protect Young Plants: Use cloches or fleece to shield tender plants from early frosts.
• Mow Lawns: Lawns often need cutting more frequently this month, aim to mow on a dry day. If hot weather persists mow without the box so cuttings can help retain moisture

 

For more information on Autumnal Lawn Care; https://www.rhs.org.uk/lawns/autumn-care.