Jasmine is a beautiful plant, known for its clusters of small, star-shaped white flowers and its sweet scent. A scent associated with summer time and tropical vacation destinations. But if you are the lucky owner of a jasmine plant, you must remember when to prune your jasmine in order to keep these beautiful, delicate flowers and their scent coming back year after year.
Lucky for you, we’ve turned to our professionals for expert gardening advice on when to prune jasmine in the UK. So, whether you have a summer jasmine or a winter jasmine, you’ll find the answers you’re looking for in this easy-to-follow little guide.
When to prune jasmine in the UK
(Image credit: Future PLC)
It’s essential to know when to prune your jasmine to have a healthy plant all year round, just as you know when to prune roses or when to prune hydrangeas. There are two types of jasmine – summer jasmine and winter jasmine. The timing of pruning jasmine depends on the type you have. But for both types, it is best to prune them immediately after they finish flowering.
“The best time to prune jasmine plants is immediately after flowering,” confirms Natalie White of Rated People. “Doing so will allow time for the new growth to mature, ready to flower the following season.”
“Avoid cutting too early as you can cut off the buds, which means they won’t flower,” adds Fiona Jenkins, horticulture expert at MyJobQuote.co.uk, the UK’s leading trade matching website.
When to prune summer jasmine?
(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)
“Summer jasmine should be pruned immediately after it finishes flowering, which is usually in late summer/early fall,” says Steve Shelton, garden expert from LeisureBench, a manufacturer of garden furniture.
So, if your jasmine is a summer type, it is better to prune soon because it is time.
When to prune winter jasmine?
“The best time to prune winter jasmine is late winter and early spring,” explains Fiona. For this, there is still time.
Steve Shelton is a passionate and knowledgeable garden expert with many years of experience in the field. As Director of LeisureBench, a leading manufacturer of garden furniture, Steve has gained a strong expertise in all things nature and plants. Steve is a passionate teacher and loves sharing this knowledge with others. He strives to simplify complex garden practices and encourage environmentally friendly gardening.
How do you prune overgrown jasmine?
(Image credit: Getty Images/owngarden)
Experts certainly have a specific technique when it comes to pruning jasmine. It’s easy to do, just follow this easy guide. All you need is a pair of pruning shears or shears.
“Use clean, sharp shears or pruning shears to make clean cuts. This helps prevent the spread of disease,” says Jack Sutcliffe, co-founder of shed manufacturer Power Sheds.
So, have your scissors or shears handy, and now it’s time to cut. “Start by removing any dead or damaged branches,” Jack continues. “Cut them back to sound wood or near the base of the plant.
“Cut close to the main stem of the plant, just above a healthy bud to prevent damage and promote healthy new growth,” Steve adds.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Then focus on the overgrown sections and rogue stems. “Thin congested areas by cutting back selected stems. This helps improve air circulation and sunlight penetration,” says Jack.
“Remove any stems that grow away from the plant’s supporting structure,” chimes in Fiona. It is easy to control the direction of new growth. All you have to do is prune above the leaf stem that is growing in the right direction.’
(Image credit: Getty Images/owngarden)
Just make sure not to remove more than a third of the plant, as this is obviously the sweet spot that helps the plant grow. “Do not remove more than a third of the plant’s total growth while pruning, as this can stress the plant and inhibit its ability to grow.”
To sum it up, prune your jasmine plant right after it finishes flowering, not before. Do not prune more than one-third of the total plant and it is best to avoid pruning in extreme weather conditions. Happy jasmine pruning!
Should jasmine be cut every year?
To have a healthy jasmine plant, it should be pruned every year.
“Summer and winter jasmine should be pruned annually,” Steve confirms.
Is it possible to prune jasmine in winter?
If you have a summer jasmine plant on your hands, you shouldn’t prune it during the winter. On the other hand, winter jasmine should be pruned after it finishes flowering in winter or early spring.
