Late April is your final chance to prune several garden favourites, so here’s what to cut back now and how to do it properly
Late April is when many key spring pruning jobs risk being missed. While not every plant should be cut back now, a handful of garden favourites – including roses and lavender – are reaching the end of their ideal pruning window.
By this point, most plants are out of dormancy and actively growing, meaning cuts heal quickly and energy is redirected into fresh shoots. A well-timed prune now can also help shape plants for fuller, bushier growth – and more flowers or fruit later in the season.
Using the right tools makes all the difference. The best secateurs, loppers or pruning saw will make the job easier, safer and more precise, while blunt or unsuitable tools can damage plant tissue and leave it vulnerable to pests and disease.
Different plants also need different approaches: some require clean, delicate cuts, while others benefit from heavier-duty tools that prevent branches from tearing or splitting.
Here are five plants to prioritise before May – plus the exact tools you’ll need to do each job properly.
'Roses benefit from a spring prune once the worst frosts have passed and the buds are beginning to swell,' advises Mark Hewett, divisional sales manager for garden tools & accessories at Wilkinson Sword.
HOW: Start by removing dead, damaged or crossing stems, then cut healthy growth back to an outward-facing bud to keep the plant open and well-ventilated.
IDEAL TOOL: Sharp bypass pruners. 'Making clean, precise cuts will help promote healthy regrowth and plenty of blooms later in the season,' Mark explains.
'Buddleja can be pruned quite hard in early spring to keep plants compact and encourage vigorous new growth,' says Mark.
HOW: Cut stems back to around 30-60cm from the base, removing any weak, old woody stems or overcrowded branches.
IDEAL TOOL: Sturdy pruners or a pair of loppers. 'Older stems can become woody so these tools can make the job much easier while ensuring a clean cut,' he adds.
Mark says: 'Hydrangea paniculata flowers on new growth, so pruning in early spring helps produce strong stems and large flower heads later in the year.'
HOW: Simply cut back last year’s stems to a healthy pair of buds to maintain a tidy shape and encourage vigorous growth.
IDEAL TOOL: Sharp secateurs. 'This is a job that calls for precise pruning,' Mark adds.
'Lavender benefits from a gentle spring tidy to keep plants compact and encourage fresh growth,' says Mark.
HOW: 'Remove any dead stems and lightly shape the plant, taking care not to cut back into old woody growth. A light trim helps maintain a neat mound and encourages plenty of fragrant flowers later in the season,' he advises.
IDEAL TOOL: Sharp secateurs. Mark says it's perfect for giving lavender a light trim, which helps 'maintain a neat mound shape and encourages plenty of fragrant flowers later in the season'.
'Apple trees can benefit from a light spring prune if needed,' advises Mark.
HOW: Remove dead, damaged or crossing branches and improve airflow through the canopy.
IDEAL TOOL: Long-handled loppers. 'For thicker branches, long-handled loppers will enable you to make clean cuts safely without damaging the structure of the tree,' Mark explains.
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