What to prune in the garden according to the seasons? Guide and calendar

Pruning Summer Flowering ShrubsJANUARY TO MARCHBuddleias, hibiscus, deciduous ceanothes, indigofera, Abelia, Butterfly bush (Buddleja), Althea (Hibiscus syriacus), Wig tree (Cotinus coggygria), Callicarpa, Caryopteris, Cotonéaster, Desmodium or Lespedeza, Deciduous spindle tree (Euonymus), Broom Spain (Spartium junceum), St. John’s Wort (Hypericum), SnowberryPruning Spring Flowering ShrubsJUNE JULYEarly spireas, forsythia, flowering currants, rhododendrons and azaleas, Forsythia, Flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum)Summer pruning / other ornamental treesJULY AUGUSTAll prunus and sizes in green of most treesFormation of southern shrubsMARCH APRILBrachyglottis, santolinas, germanders, rosemary and hydrangea, Aucuba (January to March also), Japanese camellia, Camellia sasanqua (Autumn camellia), Japanese quince, Japanese corêta, Oleander (Nerium oleander), Lilac (Syringa vulgaris ), Indian Lilac (Lagerstroemia)Pruning shrubs to enhance foliage colorJANUARY TO MARCHVariegated varieties of Acer negundo, Salix integra, eucalyptus, physocarpus, Japanese spireaTopiary trainingAPRIL THEN AUGUSTBoxwood, yew, wire privet, Japanese hollyCutting back shrubs treated as perennialsJANUARY TO MARCHCaryopteris, desmodium, perovskia, St. John’s wort, Hydrangea paniculata and grandifloraCutting back decorative wood trees and shrubsMARCH APRILLime trees, willows, dogwoods, Leycesteria, white brambles, rose bush ‘Pteracantha’Coppicing for lush foliageJANUARY TO MARCHCatalpa, paulownia, ailanthusTransparent sizeJANUARY TO MARCH OR JUNE TO AUGUSTEvergreen or deciduous trees and shrubsSummit climbJANUARY TO MARCH OR JUNE TO AUGUSTConifers and pines in particularRemoval of regrowth on treesJUNE TO SEPTEMBERLime trees, prunus, variegated maplesTree pruning/pruningJANUARY TO MARCHMost except prunus (summer)Pruning/pruning of certain treesNOVEMBER DECEMBERMaples, hornbeams, hickory, walnuts, poplars except P. candicans, lindens, birches, Japanese maples, laburnum, deciduous magnolias, mulberries and sophora