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Are we nearly there yet?

B3B3 Posts: 27,505
in Plants
I really really want to prune perennials and shrubs. My secateurs are twitching.
Do I go by what the weather might be later or the fact that new buds are beginning to sprout when making the decision?
It's been very mild here so far. The osteos are in bud.(I'm not pruning them😊)
In London. Keen but lazy.
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  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    I know how you feel B3, my secateurs are twitching too and we've only had one decent day here - today. Mind you I've been pruning and sniping the Montana that blew down in one of the storms so my effort has been legitimate. 
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    The specific set of circumstances that bought us the Beast from the East in 2018 started a couple of months earlier that year, and haven't happened this year, so there's no reason to expect such a severe late cold spell this year. But it would be unusual - not unheard of - for us to get through March without a few sharp frosts. The sun is stronger but easterly weather is common as we get towards the equinox. 

    So I wouldn't. But it is more sheltered over your side of the patch
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    20th March. I suppose I could wait until then😒
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • HeliosHelios Posts: 232
    Sshhhh! I’ve hacked into a choisya and hard pruned a group 3 clematis. I couldn’t help myself, I was driven to it.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I hacked back a massive buxus from about 6 feet across and about 3 feet high to bare stems about 18" around. 
    ( not bothered if it dies )
    Devon.
  • pitter-patterpitter-patter Posts: 2,429
    I’ve cut back everything today, including penstemons and gauras. There was a lot of new growth and some snapdragons that have overwintered have flower buds.
  • D0rdogne_DamselD0rdogne_Damsel Posts: 4,184
    Tempted! 
    • “Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Resistance is futile but I've managed so far. Resist!
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    I’m still resisting the urge. 

    It was beautiful out there today and lots of the perennials are growing again but nothing is getting pruned just yet…… 
  • justflowersjustflowers Posts: 143
    It was so sunny today, I couldn't resist, but I think I tidied rather than pruned -  buddleja, hydrangeas, mahonia and acers - I did hard prune the dogwood though! have I done wrong?
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