How to prune a passion flower plant

Ron's passion flower, growing in his courtyard garden, has grown 12ft up a trellised wall. He now asks for advice on pruning:

It is really just a matter of trimming it a little around now if necessary, just to tidy it up and stop it flapping in the winter wind.

What is left (which may become extremely threadbare during the next few months) will provide a little protection for the lower regions and the roots of the plant in the event that we have a spell of really nasty weather.

Ron should then go back and prune his climber properly in March or April, when the weather starts to warm. He should be quite tough-minded at this time, cutting the entire plant back to within about 3ft of the ground and forcing it to start all over again.

This will mean that the plant will flower quite late in the summer, but it will do so on the fresh and attractive new growth that will reclothe the trellis extremely quickly.

Pruning

Pruning plums:

The best pruning time for plum trees is early summer. Pruning plums in winter should be avoided, as there is a greater risk of silver leaf disease to which plums are prone.

Start by removing crossing or weak stems or those affected by disease. Then thin the tree further if it still appears crowded. Plan for a well-balanced tree with an open centre and a good shape.

For an established fan-trained plum, remove any damaged or diseased stems then train and prune to shape. Prune all side shoots to six leaves. After fruiting, shorten these pruned shoots to one leaf. The tree will direct its energies into next year's fruit buds.

Try to make pruning cuts as clean as possible without crushing the wood.

Minimise disease by treating cuts with wound paint.

Summer pruning of ornamental shrubs:

Pruning Philadelphus and Weigela is easiest using a long-handled lopper. Start by cutting back stems that have finished flowering; on established specimens you can remove up to a third of older stems, aiming for a balance between old and young growth.

Using sharp secateurs, reshape stems that have become old and lanky on lilac (Syringa). Deadhead old flowers, taking care not to damage new shoots forming below the flowers, and remove completely any suckers at the base of the plant.

Use hand shears to clip over leggy Hebes to remove faded flowers and keep plant growth fresh and compact.

Deadheading roses can keep them blooming for almost nine months. I deadheaded our roses on Sunday. Now it's time to tackle the Hebes and lilacs which I may have left unpruned for too long as they have gotten very leggy.