As summer reaches its peak, August is the perfect time to show your garden some TLC with a little light pruning. A quick tidy up will help keep plants looking neat and prevent them from becoming overgrown. For some flowering varieties, a gentle trim can prolong blooming so you can enjoy your summer displays for a little longer.
If you have shrubs that have finished flowering, a light trim now gives them plenty of time for fresh new shoots to develop and form next year’s flower buds. It’s also a chance to remove any dead, damaged or diseased growth, which will improve light and airflow through to the plant – especially beneficial for fruit trees such as apples and pears.
Don’t overlook your tools, either. Sharp, well-maintained secateurs, snips and loppers make clean, precise cuts that heal faster, reducing stress on the plant and help to minimise the risk of disease entering through damaged stems.
Good tools will also make pruning quicker, easier and far more enjoyable for you! With this in mind, we spoke to Mark Hewett of Wilkinson Sword Garden Tools & Accessories about how to prune various plants in August and the best tool for each job.
1. Wisteria
August is the perfect time to give Wisteria its summer prune, says Mark. ‘Cut back this year’s long, whippy side shoots to around five or six leaves from the main framework.
‘This helps direct the plant's energy into developing flower buds for next spring, rather than producing excessive leafy growth. It also keeps vigorous stems from creeping into gutters, windows and rooflines. Wisteria is typically pruned twice a year, with a second prune in winter to refine the flowering spurs.’
Best tool for the job: Bypass pruners
Why: ‘Fresh green wisteria growth is best cut with sharp bypass blades, which make clean, precise cuts without crushing the stems, helping the plant heal more quickly.’
2. Lavender
Once lavender has finished flowering, give plants a light trim to maintain their neat, rounded shape. ‘Remove the spent flower stems and around a third of the current season’ s soft growth, taking care not to cut into old woody stems, as these rarely regenerate. A light annual trim helps prevent plants from becoming leggy and encourages dense, healthy growth,’ says Mark.
Best tool for the job: Pruning snips
Why: ‘When pruning compact plants like lavender, control is key. Fine pruning snips make it easier to remove spent flower stems and shape the plant neatly without catching surrounding growth.’
3. Rambling roses
Rambling roses should be pruned once flowering has finished, which for most varieties is during August. ‘Remove one or two of the oldest stems at the base to encourage vigorous new replacement growth, then tie in the new long canes that will produce next year’s flowers,’ advises Mark.
‘Shorten any remaining side shoots by around a third and remove dead, damaged or crossing stems to improve airflow through the plant.’
Best tools for the job: Bypass loppers and bypass pruners
Why: ‘Rambling roses often require more than one cutting tool, as mature canes are much thicker than the current season's growth. Using the right tool for each cut makes pruning easier while helping to achieve cleaner results. Bypass loppers are ideal for removing older woody stems at the base, while bypass pruners are better suited to shaping and finishing cuts.’
Related: 6 best secateurs for pruning roses and trimming branches
4. Hedges including privet and beech
August is generally the final opportunity to give formal hedges a tidy before autumn arrives. ‘Light trimming now keeps hedges looking crisp throughout winter while avoiding stimulating excessive late-season growth. Before cutting, always check carefully for active bird nests, as these are legally protected,’ Mark warns.
‘Trim the sides so they're slightly narrower at the top than the base, allowing light to reach the lower growth and helping the hedge remain dense from top to bottom.’
Best tool for the job: Lightweight shears
Why: ‘Long periods of hedge trimming can quickly become tiring, making lightweight, well-balanced shears much easier to use while maintaining an even finish.’
5. Hardy geraniums
Many hardy geraniums respond brilliantly to a late summer trim. ‘If flowering has tailed off and the foliage is looking tired, cut the entire plant back to just above ground level,’ Mark advises.
‘With a little moisture afterwards, you’ll often be rewarded with fresh foliage and, in many varieties, a second flush of flowers before autumn. Remove any dead or diseased leaves while you’re there to improve air circulation.’
Best tool for the job: Pruning snips
Why: ‘Soft, leafy growth is easiest to prune using sharp, lightweight snips that allow for quick, accurate cuts without pulling or tearing stems.’
6. Summer-flowering jasmine
After flowering has finished, lightly prune summer jasmine to maintain its shape and prevent it from becoming tangled. ‘Remove flowered shoots and any weak or overcrowded stems, while tying in strong new shoots that will form next year's display. Avoid cutting too hard into old wood, as this can limit future growth,’ Mark cautions.
Best tool for the job: Bypass pruners
Why: ‘Climbing plants benefit from tools that can reach easily between stems while delivering clean, accurate cuts.’
7. Philadelphus (Mock orange)
If your philadelphus wasn’t pruned immediately after flowering, early August provides a final opportunity for light maintenance before next year’s flower buds begin to develop.
‘Remove around a quarter to a third of the oldest stems at ground level to encourage vigorous young replacement shoots and lightly shape the shrub if necessary. Avoid heavy pruning later in the season, as this can reduce next year’s flowering,’ says Mark.
Best tool for the job: Ratchet pruners
Why: ‘Removing older woody stems requires more cutting force, so choosing a tool that reduces effort can make the job considerably easier. A ratchet mechanism helps to increase cutting power while placing less strain on the hands.’
And finally...
Keep blades clean, sharp and well maintained, and disinfect them between plants if you've been removing diseased growth to help prevent problems from spreading around the garden.
‘A few minutes spent sharpening and cleaning your tools can make all the difference,’ says Mark.
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