Garden expert issues September warning as pruning mistake could cost you next year's flowers

A senior gardener has warned people against making one common gardening mistake this September that could leave them without flowers next spring. As summer draws to a close, many gardeners will be tempted to tidy up their outdoor spaces and cut back plants that are beginning to look untidy.

However, Noah Mabey, Senior Gardener at Thornbridge Hall and Horticultural Advisor to Platinum Spas, has warned that pruning certain plants at the wrong time could mean accidentally removing next year's flowers before they have the chance to bloom. Noah said:

“One of the biggest mistakes gardeners can make at this time of year is pruning spring-flowering shrubs. Many of these plants have already started forming the buds that will produce next year's flowers, so cutting them back now could mean sacrificing your spring display.”

Gardeners should think twice before reaching for the secateurs this month, particularly when it comes to spring-flowering shrubs. Noah advises leaving the following spring-flowering plants alone until after they have flowered:

• Rhododendrons

• Camellias

• Lilacs

• Magnolias

• Daphne

• Osmanthus

• Chaenomeles

• Mahonia

Pruning these plants now could remove developing flower buds and leave gardeners disappointed when spring arrives.

How to Protect Spring Buds and Maintain Late Blooms

While some plants should be left untouched during September, that doesn't mean gardeners should stop pruning and deadheading altogether. Noah said:

“The key is knowing the difference between plants that are preparing next year's flowers and those that will benefit from a little maintenance. September is still an important month for keeping late-summer flowering plants looking their best, particularly dahlias. Dahlias really come into their own during September and can put on one of their best displays of the entire year.”

Deadheading dahlias can encourage more blooms, but Noah warns that gardeners need to take a closer look before cutting. Mabey continues:

“It's surprisingly easy to confuse a spent flower with a new bud - and removing the wrong one means accidentally cutting off the next bloom before it has the chance to open. One useful trick is learning to tell the difference between a spent flower and a new bud. Spent dahlias tend to look more pointed, while the new flower buds are rounder. Removing the wrong one by mistake means losing the next flower, so it's worth taking a closer look before cutting.”

September marks the transition from summer into autumn, and while it's tempting to start cutting everything back and preparing for winter, gardeners should take a more considered approach.

September is all about finding the balance between enjoying the last of the summer garden and getting ahead for next year. A few jobs now can extend the colour you're enjoying today while setting your garden up for a fantastic spring.