Shrubs
January
Plant scented daphnes
Action time: 03/01 - 05/01
Can't wait for spring to come? Bring some winter cheer to your garden by planting a daphne for early colour and a stunning scent.
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Take hardwood cuttings
Action time: 07/01 - 09/01
Now is a good time to take hardwood cuttings of shrubs such as spotted laurel, privet and flowering currants.
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Prune your shrubs
Action time: 22/01 - 29/01
Prune out any weak shoots or suckers on flowering shrubs such as lilacs or roses. This will ensure a better flower display later on in the year.
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Cover up camellias
Action time: 27/01 - 27/01
New camellia buds are particularly vulnerable to frosts and sharp winds, so wrap your plant in hessian or fleece if bad weather is predicted.
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February
Take hardwood cuttings
Action time: 11/02 - 13/02
You have until spring to make hardwood cuttings of holly, mock orange, azalea and other woody shrubs to make new plants.
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Move shrubs
Action time: 20/02 - 28/02
Got a plant in the wrong place? Now is the time to dig up and reposition any garden shrubs.
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Prune dogwoods
Action time: 21/02 - 21/02
Now that you've made the most of this plant's spectacular colour, cut the stems down to its base. This will encourage the plant to produce bright colour next winter.
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March
Prune shrubs
Action time: 04/03 - 11/03
Give your shrubs a hard prune to improve the shape and encourage flowers. Cut directly above a pair of buds using clean, sharp tools.
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Make new plants from shrubs
Action time: 04/03 - 06/03
It's your last chance to take hardwood cuttings of cornus, willow and other woody shrubs to make new plants before spring.
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Prune buddleja
Action time: 14/03 - 21/03
Cut back last year's shoots to one or two pairs of buds above the base.
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Prune hardy fuchsias
Action time: 15/03 - 15/03
Give plants a hard prune, leaving 15cm to 30cm (6in to 12in) of stem, from which new growth will shoot. Only prune when new buds are visible.
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April
Repot container shrubs
Action time: 01/04 - 08/04
Spring is a good time to repot shrubs in pots with fresh compost. Lightly prune the roots if the plant is very pot-bound.
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May
Prune pot-bound shrubs
Action time: 11/05 - 16/05
Continue checking shrubs in pots and lightly cut the roots back to the intact rootball if congested. Make sure not to damage the fibrous roots.
Read moreTry shrubs in tubs
Action time: 19/05 - 19/05
Add structure and colour to your patio with shrubs in pots. Be sure to choose a large enough pot and feed plants with a slow-release fertiliser before planting.
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June
Prune spring flowering shrubs
Action time: 01/06 - 08/06
Cut back shrubs after flowering to rejuvenate plants and improve their overall shape. Ribes and philadelphus benefit from a hard prune now.
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Take summer cuttings
Action time: 15/06 - 30/06
Take cuttings of your favourite shrubs now from now until early August and you'll have plenty of new stock for autumn planting. Philadelphus, hydrangeas and forsythias all root easily.
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Make more shrubs
Action time: 18/06 - 25/06
Propagate your favourite plants and shrubs by using the layering technique.
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July
Propagate box
Action time: 20/07 - 30/07
Box cuttings taken over the next few weeks will root quickly. Plants should root within three weeks and be ready for transplanting into their own pots.
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August
Propagate box
Action time: 12/08 - 19/08
Cuttings taken last month should be ready for transplanting. You can still pot up any clippings you have to ensure a good supply next spring.
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Trim lavender
Action time: 23/08 - 07/09
Give lavender a light trim as the flowers fade - it stops the plant from becoming leggy and helps trigger abundant flowering next year.
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October
Prune deciduous shrubs
Action time: 13/10 - 27/10
As shrubs lose their leaves it becomes easier to see their overall shape. Give them a light prune if needed to improve their looks.
Read moreMove shrubs
Action time: 31/10 - 15/11
If a shrub has outgrown its space in the border, now is the time to move it to a better location. Our guide shows you how.
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November
Propagate from hardwood stems
Action time: 07/11 - 09/11
It's the end of the growing season for dogwood, willow, honeysuckle and other woody shrubs. Create new plants by taking hardwood cuttings from ripened stems.
Read moreDecember
Check hardwood cuttings
Action time: 07/12 - 09/12
Re-firm the soil around cuttings if the ground is lifted by frost. Continue to take cuttings - suitable shrubs include Forsythia, Rosa and Buddleja.
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Move overgrown shrubs
Action time: 24/12 - 31/12
If a shrub has outgrown its space in the border, there's still time to move it to a better location while it's dormant. Our guide shows you how.
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Your gardening year
If you want to see all of our gardening tips for the year, try out our new year planner.
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