Alan Titchmarsh has urged gardeners to prune four specific plants this month, warning that delaying could be detrimental. The gardening expert, speaking on a BBC Gardeners' World YouTube video, said pruning causes more confusion than almost any other gardening task, but summer is the ideal time for certain species.
First on his list is the plum tree. Titchmarsh advised shortening branches by about a third to encourage a rounded shape. June is a good time for this, as pruning in winter or spring makes trees susceptible to silver leaf disease, a deadly fungal infection.
Roses also need attention now. Titchmarsh recommended deadheading faded flowers unless the variety produces decorative hips. He noted that old varieties flower once in late June or early July and won't bloom again, so trimming should be done with secateurs to encourage continuous blooming and prevent disease.
Topiary, particularly yew, is a prime candidate for summer pruning. Titchmarsh cautioned that if you only want to prune once a year, wait until September when growth is finished. June is excellent because the risk of late frost has passed and the new growth has hardened.
Finally, the choiysa, or Mexican orange, benefits from a hard clip after its spring flowers fade. Titchmarsh said it looks rough for a few weeks but quickly regrows fresh green foliage. The ideal window is immediately after the main spring flush, typically in June.
