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Gardening Calendar
Gardening Calendar
JANUARY
January is when climbers, shrubs and trees are leafless and in their dormant period and one of the best gardening months for pruning any garden subjects that could cause problems during winter storms and high winds. Wisteria is a good example of a climber that can be pruned now. After flowering the previous season and given a summer pruning it produces long wispy new growths that need to be controlled by cutting back. Either summer or winter pruning and whichever plant or shrub you are pruning the first step is to remove any dead or damaged branches.
JANUARY
January is when climbers, shrubs and trees are leafless and in their dormant period and one of the best gardening months for pruning any garden subjects that could cause problems during winter storms and high winds. Wisteria is a good example of a climber that can be pruned now. After flowering the previous season and given a summer pruning it produces long wispy new growths that need to be controlled by cutting back. Either summer or winter pruning and whichever plant or shrub you are pruning the first step is to remove any dead or damaged branches.
JANUARY
January is when climbers, shrubs and trees are leafless and in their dormant period and one of the best gardening months for pruning any garden subjects that could cause problems during winter storms and high winds. Wisteria is a good example of a climber that can be pruned now. After flowering the previous season and given a summer pruning it produces long wispy new growths that need to be controlled by cutting back. Either summer or winter pruning and whichever plant or shrub you are pruning the first step is to remove any dead or damaged branches.
Pruning Dogwood - Cornus sanguinea
If you want to prune your dogwood, you should consider that different varieties require different pruning methods. Although the varieties are similar in many ways, some important differences should be taken into account.We have drawn up a table indicating the different pruning methods and pruning times for the various species of dogwood.
Table Dogwood - Cornus Controversa
Prune as little as possible. Do not prune in freezing weather.
October - February:
If the shrub needs trimming into shape, do this in the winter months.
Growing season:
If you have a variegated type that produces green leaves, remove the branches with green leaves immediately.
Flowering Dogwood - Cornus Florida
Do not prune in freezing weather.
October - February:
Trim into shape in the winter months, preferably removing only inward growing branches.
March:
Remove dead wood after winter, cutting back to the live wood.
Cornelian Cherry Dogwood - Cornus Mas
Can withstand rigorous pruning and is therefore suitable for hedges. Do not prune in freezing weather.
March:
If the shrub has become too big and you want to prune fairly rigorously, March is the best time to do this.*1
April:
This variety can also be planted as a hedge. Trim the hedge in April or May.
May:
Planted as a shrub, this dogwood can be shaped or rejuvenated in May.
Growing season:
If you have a variegated type that produces green leaves, remove the branches with green leaves immediately.
Japanese Dogwood - Cornus Kousa
Do not prune in freezing weather.
March:
Remove dead wood after winter, cutting back to the live wood.
June:
This shrub can be trimmed into shape at the end of June, after flowering. Pay particular attention to inward growing branches.
Growing season:
If you have a variegated type that produces green leaves, remove the branches with green leaves immediately.
Common Dogwood - Cornus Sanguinea
Do not prune in freezing weather.
March:
If the shrub has become too big, March is the best time for rigorous pruning.*1
You could also carry out rejuvenation pruning.*2
Siberian Dogwood - Cornus Alba
Do not prune in freezing weather.
March:
If the shrub has become too big, March is the best time for rigorous pruning.*1
*1: Rigorous pruning means cutting back the entire shrub to a height of approximately 40 cm. It is better not to cut beyond where the plant begins to branch. The more branches are retained after pruning, the bushier the dogwood will be as it grows back.
*2: If you want to rejuvenate your dogwood, this should be done in stages. Remove approximately one third of the branches that emerge from the ground. Select branches from all over the shrub, cutting branches from the heart of the shrub as well as the outermost branches. Repeat this process the next year, choosing different branches of course. After three years the entire shrub will have been renewed.
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