YOUR PRUNING MONTH

February is a great time to prune many garden plants, from herbaceous perennials to holly topiary, says Frances Tophill

- Frances Tophill

February is a time of transition in the garden.

At the beginning of the month, you wonder when winter will end, and by its close spring is usually in the air, with flowers like snowdrops, primroses, daffodils and Japanese quinces doing their thing. It usually feels pretty cold, and although the days are lengthening, the long winter of low light levels can make it a challenging time for gardeners.

Having said that, it is a good time for gardening as there is plenty to do in terms of preparation, planning and implementing the 'getting ahead before spring starts' plan. This is the perfect time for the big cut back, especially as we get towards the tail end of the month. Herbaceous perennials and ornamental grasses can be chopped now to make way for spring growth without causing much harm or disruption to overwintering creatures. This is the last chance for pruning deciduous trees that prefer a dormant cut and for coppicing, and the first opportunity to clear winter-interest plants. Rejuvenating holly topiary now will get it into shape before the nesting season.

Plants to prune now

Many plants are best pruned before their sap starts flowing and new shoots begin to appear in spring. Here are some prime candidates to tackle this month

OVERGROWN BEECH HEDGES Prune these now, but if they need a big reduction, do it in stages over a couple of years.