Summer pruning is essential to guarantee lush and prolonged blooms. Now fix some ornamental plants can make the difference between any garden and an explosion of colors and perfumes in the weeks to come.
Those who take care of their green corner know: each season has its own small secrets. In summer, the pruning It is not only a question of order or aesthetic, but a real technique to encourage the trim And keep plants healthy when the heat begins to be felt. There is no need to be expert gardeners: a few well -made moves are enough, at the right time.
Many think that it can be postponed, but in reality it is precisely now that the foundations for an explosion of colors between July and September are laid. If you intervene with a minimum of constancy, even the simplest varieties show surprising vitality. Some plants, then, seem to almost thank with new gems within a few days. Here are 5 very common plants in the Italian gardens which, if you prune now, can turn into real protagonists.
Gerani: the summer pruning that gives multiple flowers
Whoever has them on the balcony or in the planters knows: i geraniums They have a flowering cycle which, if well managed, can last until autumn. But some attention is needed. In late June, it is useful to eliminate i dry branches And the touched stems by cutting them right over a healthy leaf.
It is believed that letting nature be enough, but in reality a light pruning every 10-15 days help the plant to concentrate the energies on new buds. Even remove the yellowed leaves, perhaps hidden under the hair, improves the breathability and reduces the risk of mold. A little effort, great results.
Lavender: model and reinvigorate
The lavenderwith its unmistakable perfume, needs to be adjusted just after the first flowering. You don’t have to cut too much: the important thing is to shorten the flowering stems and maintain a rounded shape. Thus it is avoided that the plant “bars” at the base becoming woody.
And then, do you want to have a second more compact and fragrant flowering? The secret lies in not waiting for the flowers to dry out completely: a cut at the right time and lavender regenerates in a few weeks.
Ortensia: delicate summer pruning, only when necessary
Not all hydrangea they must be pruned in the summer, but some varieties such as theHydrangea arborescens o to Hydrangea paniculata They benefit from a light arranged after the first flowering cycle. Classic hydrangeas, on the other hand, better leave them at peace: they bloom on the old branches.
When you decide to intervene, it is good to do it with criterion: eliminate only dried flowers and some too exuberant internal branches can be enough. The goal is to lighten the plant without stressing it too much, especially if the climate becomes sultry.
Plants to prune now: other varieties that need it
Not only hydrangeas and geraniums: there are others Plants to be pruning in summer to stimulate flowering or contain its growth. Here are some of the most common in the gardens and balconies:
- Bougainvillea: cut the branches that have already bloomed to encourage a new wave of colors.
- Rosa: The trimmed varieties draw enormous benefits from summer pruning, even minimal.
- Abelia: grows quickly and blooms for a long time, but without cuts it tends to become disordered.
- Clematide: only a few varieties, but if you notice a slowdown it is better to intervene.
- Fucsia: just shorten the longest stems to obtain a more compact and orderly effect.
But be careful: each species has different needs. There is no universal rule, but you can rely on observation and common sense. Dry leaves, unbalanced growth, the absence of new flowers: clear signals that is time to intervene.
The best time to cut, in summer
The question arises spontaneously: When to prune during the summer? The response varies according to the plant, but in general the cooler hours of the day are the best, especially early in the morning.
Better to avoid too hot or dry days, because the wounds on the branches may not be well. And there is no need to overdo it: sometimes, cut less but with constancy leads to more harmonious results than a single drastic pruning.
Curious to see the effect of pruning on your garden? Just choose a plant and start: the change will be faster than you think.
And maybe it will become an indispensable habit, season after season.
Photo © Stock.adobe
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