How to prune hardy fuchsias

Sub-shrubs are halfway between herbaceous perennials, which die back in winter, and shrubs, which make self-supporting wood. Leaving the previous season's growth in place over winter affords a little extra insulation to the lower parts of stems. Here, the plants retain the ability to re-grow from leaf joints or 'nodes', even if there are no obvious buds.

In cold winters, particularly in northern regions of the UK, you may find that the upper buds and stems on these sub-shrubs are damaged by frost. Don't worry – it's a good idea to prune these back anyway, to prevent them from becoming floppy under the weight of new growth.

The key to keeping fuchsias and other sub-shrubs in good shape is to prune them back annually in mid-spring, as they start into growth.

Find out how to prune hardy fuchsias and other sub-shrubs, below.

You Will Need

• Secateurs
• Long-handled loppers
• Garden fork

Step 1

Use secateurs to prune back the thicker stems to just above a 'node', composed of a pair of buds, low down on the stem. This will allow any stems that are still alive after the winter to heal, and prevents dieback down into the crown of the plant.

Step 2

Remove all the thinnest, weakest growth that formed last year, as most of this is likely to have been killed over the winter months. Cut this back to the main stems, so that all the plant's energy is channelled into strong buds and shoots.

Step 3

Look for any stems that have split or been damaged over the winter or during pruning. Cut them cleanly below the damage, using loppers if they're too thick for secateurs to cope with.

Step 4

Leave the plant looking neat and tidy. The remaining lower sections of last year's stems will help to protect new shoots that sprout from below soil level. Lightly fork around the base of the plant to remove weeds and relieve any soil compaction.

More sub-shrubs to prune like this

• Buddleia davidii
• Caryopteris
• Ceanothus x delileanus 'Gloire de Versailles' and other deciduous forms (not evergreen ceanothus)
• Lavatera
• Lavender
• Perovskia
• Phygelius
• Teucrium fruticans
• Zauschneria