Pruning is an “important procedure”, according to Julia Omelchenko, resident botany expert at Plantum – the app that helps identify plants and improve plant care – as it promotes healthy growth, improves overall plant appearance, and prevents fungal and bacterial infections. 

She added that proper and timely pruning “will not only help control the size and shape of your plants” but “promote the growth of more stunning flowers and fruiting as well”.

When it comes to this month, the gardening pro claimed that August is a “great time” for three specific plants.

1. Wisteria 

Wisteria is a fast-growing vine that captivates onlookers with its fragrant hanging inflorescences. You can see them throughout spring and early summer. 

The plant’s vigorous growth is best kept in check by thorough pruning, but it needs it twice during the year – first in winter around January or February, then in summer in August.

This month, focus on shortening the current year’s growth, leaving only around six leaves on each of the new shoots. 

Julia explained: “This helps to control the vine’s size and promotes the development of flower buds.” Make sure not to cut into any old wood while pruning since this could “diminish blooming instead”. Remove it only if your wisteria has grown out too large.

2. Lavender 

Lavender is well-known for its fragrant foliage and small purple flowers that attract lots of pollinators. This undemanding plant feels just fine on its own growing in well-draining soil under direct sunlight, but “can do with a bit of pruning every now and then”.

The “best time to prune your lavender is in August” after it finishes flowering. Regular pruning will “keep your lavender looking neat and promote healthy growth”.

Gardeners shouldn’t hold off on it for long, as pruning too close to the first frosts will make the plant more vulnerable to cold damage.

To prune them, cut all spent flowering stems, shorten the current year’s growth to about two to three inches long and take care not to cut into the woody older shoots, as this can “damage the lavender and stop it from growing” in the future. 

Those toddy shoots should only be removed if they are sick, damaged, or breaking up the overall shape of the shrub. 

3. Pyracantha

Pyracantha, also known as the firethorn, is a thorny evergreen shrub that produces white flowers followed by bright orange or red berries. It’s often planted as a hedgerow thanks to its ability to form dense thickets. Alternatively, you can grow it as a wall-climber.

August is the “prime time” for pruning pyracantha. This shrub blooms on old wood, so aim to leave as many two-year-old (or older) shoots as you can. 

Cut the young shoots back to about the last two or three leaves at their base to shape the shrub. Remove all sick or dead branches to keep the plant in good health. Gardeners can also prune any branches that grow inward or outside the desired thicket. 

when growing it as a hedge, gardeners may need to prune pyracantha more frequently – about two or three times a year instead of one. 

Make sure to wear thick gloves when working with the shrub to avoid injuring yourself on its long and sharp thorns.