To prune or not to prune?

Ornamental trees and shrubs

In bare roots

When choosing trees or deciduous bushes to plant in the garden, winter allows you to opt for bare roots, as once the sap has descended and the leaves have fallen, the plants have entered dormancy. They have been grown in open ground in a nursery for a few years and are then uprooted when offered for sale. These plants are appealing because having experienced growth in open ground, they are vigorous, cheaper to purchase, and more environmentally friendly, as they are free from substrate and plastic containers.

The planting of a tree or a shrub with bare roots should be done between November and the end of March before the resumption of growth, which will allow for good rooting. However, caution is advised: gardeners with clay soil that remains moist throughout the bad season will benefit from planting these plants at the end of winter. Indeed, as the soil begins to warm up, it becomes lighter and more conducive to the proper development of roots.

It should be noted that you can plant trees and shrubs in bare roots when your soil is moist at depth but not waterlogged from heavy rains, but also provided that temperatures are not negative during the day.

→ Find our expert advice on planting trees and bushes in bare roots

In containers

In theory, planting potted plants can be done all year round, however planting without considering the characteristics of your climate is risky and not all plants have the same requirements or the same cold resistance. In Mediterranean regions, planting can occur in winter, including for evergreen subjects and conifers. In contrast, it may be a bit late in colder regions where frost and snow arrive early. During these winter months, December is the best time, especially in light soils or good free-draining soils. It is advisable to wait until February-March in the case of heavy soil and at altitude. Again, never plant when the soil is frozen or waterlogged.

If you are making winter plantings, adapt the timing and the plants planted to your local climate, your soil, and the weather conditions

Fruit trees

Winter is also a favourable time for planting bare root fruit trees. From 25th November, St Catherine’s Day, until mid-February, you can plant all your fruit trees. Planted during this period of vegetative rest, they will start growing more reliably in spring and will easily withstand the first summer heat.

However, don’t forget to check the weather and avoid planting a few days before a forecasted cold snap. Some years, winter can also be remarkably dry and cold; in such cases, it will be unnecessary to water the recently planted fruit trees. If heavy rain is expected, allow the soil to dry out for a few days before working it.

For planting your bare root fruit trees, remember the essentials:

• Ensure sufficient planting distances
• Prepare your planting holes a few days or even weeks in advance
• Soak and dress the roots
• Don’t forget to stake your trees

It may also be useful to protect the grafting point from the cold with a mound of soil that you will remove when growth resumes, or with a winter fleece or geotextile band.

Potted fruit trees can also be planted during this period, following the same recommendations as for ornamental trees.

We plant bare root fruit trees from November to early March: winter is therefore the ideal time!</caption]

Hedge plants and roses

In winter, you can take advantage of offers on hedge shrubs with bare roots to create green screens at a lower cost! This can be particularly interesting if you have linear areas or large spaces to green. Moreover, your hedges will have a very good recovery and will grow more vigorously provided you plant them correctly. Find all our explanations on how to plant a hedge with bare roots here.

The same goes for roses, where the offer of bare roots is more economical and ensures very good recovery. → Read: When to plant roses?

However, hedge shrubs and potted roses can also be planted all year round, including in winter. As with trees and bushes, our recommendations for doing this appropriately are to avoid frost periods and waterlogged soils, and to plant at the end of winter in heavy clay soils.

Finally, remember to mulch the base of your newly planted hedges and roses: RCW, dead leaves, straw, or if necessary, cardboard without printing, these mulches will provide excellent protection against cold, evaporation, and runoff.

Plant bare root hedge bushes in winter for optimal recovery and growth</caption]

Bulbs

It is often said that the best time to plant spring-flowering bulbs is during the September-October period. This is true, but most varieties can be planted without issues until the end of November, even December or January. For this, favour late varieties such as Alliums, Eremurus (Foxtail Lily), or Lilies that will flower in summer. These late-flowering bulbs can be planted well into the season.

Bulbs planted late in winter will flower later. They will also bloom for a slightly shorter duration in the first year, but will establish properly for the following years.

Discover our tips for planting spring bulbs late

Perennials

Here are the five basic rules to avoid making a mistake :

• Observe before acting: ask yourself why you want to prune. Is it for the plant, or for your need for order? If the plant is healthy and flowers well, abstaining is often the best option.
• Disinfect your tools: this is the most neglected piece of advice. A dirty blade spreads disease from one specimen to another. Use methylated spirits between each specimen.
• Respect the natural habit: each plant has an architectural “personality”. A shrub with a weeping habit will be disfigured by pruning into a ball.
• The “3 Ds” rule: Before any aesthetic pruning, start by removing what is Dead (dead), Damaged (damaged) or Diseased (diseased). Sometimes that is more than enough.
• Less is more: it is always possible to cut back a branch the following month, but it is impossible to reattach it. Proceed in stages.

After the festivities, you may want to give your Christmas tree a second life! The main species are the Nordmann fir and the noble fir (Abies Nobilis). Hardy and resilient, they can transition from home to garden provided you give them space, fresh, deep soil that is not too chalky, and partial shade. They can reach up to 30 m in height with a spread of 6 to 7 m after many years, so it is important to consider their future growth before planting them in the garden. Therefore, if you have enough space, you can certainly plant the Christmas tree in the ground or pot it to decorate the terrace or balcony for a few years.

• First of all, make sure to buy a tree that is not cut, but in a root ball, meaning with its root system
• Remember to water and mist it regularly after purchase and keep it away from any heat source
• Replant it as soon as possible in January after the festivities, as our heated interiors do not provide the best survival conditions
• Place it outside or in a non-heated space a few days before replanting
• Dig a planting hole that is two to three times the volume of the root ball. Backfill with a mix of garden soil and compost or leaf mould. Water thoroughly and install a stake.

→ Our article “What to do with your Christmas tree after the festivities?” will provide you with ideas for recycling it, and our sheet “Fir, Abies: planting, pruning, and care” will answer your questions about fir trees.