Pruning at the wrong time is one of the most common reasons shrubs don't flower. On the Highveld, frost and the summer rainy season decide the timing.
Quick calendar
| What | When in Benoni | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Roses | Late July to mid-August | After the worst frosts. Cut back by about a third to two-thirds, to an outward-facing bud |
| Deciduous fruit trees (peach, plum, apricot) | June–July, while dormant | Remove dead, crossing and inward-growing branches |
| Formal hedges (e.g. Murraya, privet, Eugenia) | Spring to late summer, every 4–8 weeks | Stop by late summer so new growth hardens before frost |
| Spring-flowering shrubs | Straight after they flower | Pruning in winter removes this year's flowers |
| Summer-flowering shrubs (e.g. plumbago) | Late winter | They flower on new growth |
| Ornamental grasses | Late winter, before new growth | Cut back old, dry growth |
| Frost-damaged plants | Wait until spring | Damaged growth protects the plant from further frost |
What not to do
- Don't prune hedges and tender shrubs in autumn. The soft new growth gets burnt by the first frost.
- Don't "top" trees by lopping off the main stems. It weakens them and causes messy regrowth.
- Don't remove more than about a third of a shrub at once, except roses and plants known to handle hard pruning.
- Disinfect and sharpen tools. Clean cuts heal faster.
Big trees are a different job
Large trees, trees near power lines, and anything needing a ladder or climbing should be done by a tree feller with the right equipment and insurance. See tree felling and pruning in Benoni.
Who does it
Most regular garden services do routine hedge trimming and light pruning, and some offer seasonal rose and fruit-tree pruning as an extra. See what a garden service includes, the lawn care calendar and garden service prices.