Four plants that need pruning before November to guarantee better blooms after winter

Even though there are some plants you should never prune in October, it's the prime time to give others a trim before the weather gets colder - especially varieties that are prone to windrock and other types of winter damage. Pruning your plants encourages blooming and shapes them, controls unruly growth, and reduces the risk of disease.

Throughout the year, gardening enthusiasts have chances to prune various plants; however, certain trees and shrubs need immediate attention for their well-being. Lindsey Chastain, the mastermind behind The Waddle and Cluck - a cosy hub for all things home and garden - has offered advice on which greenery needs a trim right now. She advised: "October is a good time to prune back many shrubs and trees as they enter dormancy.

"Proper pruning encourages plants to be healthy and productive. Be sure to sterilise pruners between plants and make cuts just above outward-facing buds."

1. Rose bushes

In early autumn, it's time to give rose bushes a trim by cutting any dead or sickly stems and reducing the rest to between one-third and one-half their original size.

The expert suggests that this "stimulates new growth and flowering for the next season".

Gardeners should cut at an angle of 45 degrees, aiming just over a bud facing outwards.

2. Hydrangeas

By October, hydrangeas are due for a spruce-up by cutting the stems down to "just above the second set of buds down from the flower head".

Lindsey highlighted that this action will remove the spent flowers and usher in magnificent, fresh blossoms.

Gardeners are warned to be aware of their hydrangeas' variety, as mophead and panicle types necessitate different pruning methods.

3. Fruit trees

Autumn is the season for gardeners to prune old, overcrowded branches on fruit trees, to allow more sunlight in.

The expert advised that the optimal time for this task is after the leaves have dropped, offering a clearer perspective of where to make cuts.

Lindsey suggested: "We like to use ribbon to mark branches before the leaves fall, where the foliage is the most dense."

Then, it's simply about cutting the branches at either the trunk or main branches at a 45-degree angle.

4. Evergreen shrubs

For evergreen shrubs such as boxwoods and hollies, it is recommended to give them a light trim to shape, but "don't take off more than one-third of the plant" to avoid damage.