Should sage be pruned back in winter? It’s a question that’s likely to occur to you as the days grow shorter and darkness settles into your garden, especially if you’ve been struggling with how to grow sage.
There are certain ones plants that you should prune back in winter to promote better growth the following year. While it is necessary take sage cuttingsBut doing this when the temperature drops isn’t necessarily the best way to do it protect these plants from killing frost.
‘Sage officinalis is a hardy perennial herb that only needs protection in winter in the colder areas of Britain,’ says Morris Hankinson, director of Hopes Grove Nurseries.
Morris Hankinson
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Founder and Director of Hopes Grove Nurseries
Morris Hankinson is the founder and director of Hopes Grove Nurseries Ltd, the only specialist grower-retailer of hedge plants in the UK. He founded the thriving business in 1992, shortly after graduating with a degree in commercial horticulture from Writtle College, Essex.
‘In all other cases it continues to earn winter interest all year round.’
Should sage be cut back in winter? Well, the factory is an expert in the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) say that you should ‘prune back flowered stems by only a third after flowering to keep the plants compact’.
You should also “harvest sprigs of young leaves regularly to encourage bushy new growth,” they add.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
To make this a little easier for sage amateurs, Morris explains that regular harvesting/pruning is the key to a happy sage, but that a good pruning should ideally take place in early to mid spring, after all frost has passed. is.
‘Although it can tolerate a very light clean-up in late autumn, you will need to prune more heavily until spring. If pruned in winter, sage can struggle in winter and be more susceptible to disease,” he says.
If you want sage to help during the winter months, Morris adds that you should try it mulching around the roots – and use something like Astbury’s H&G plant protection fleece from Amazon in particularly cold weather.
Frequently asked questions
Should I prune sage back for winter?
In Great Britain you are not allowed to cut back sage before winter.
‘Pruning in autumn or winter can expose the plant to cold weather, which can damage the woody stems and make the plant less hardy to frost,’ says Christopher O’Donoghue, co-director of Gardens revived.
“Instead, wait until spring to prune damaged or leggy growth after the last frost.”
(Image credit: Getty Images)
What happens if you don’t prune sage?
If you don’t prune sage, it can get a little messy – and quickly.
‘Well-established sage benefits from a hard pruning in spring to prevent a messy appearance and a leafless, open centre,’ says Morris Hankinson of Hopes Grove Nurseries.
When to reduce sage in Britain?
As mentioned, that’s it it is best to cut back sage in late spring in Britain – or, failing that, in early autumn.
“Avoid pruning in winter, as this can leave the plant vulnerable to frost damage,” warns Christopher O’Donoghue of Gardens Revived, who notes that you can lightly shape the plant and remove dead or damaged stems in the fall.
‘Always avoid cutting the woody parts, as sage does not always regrow well from old wood,’ he adds, ‘and give it a harder pruning after the last frost to encourage new growth.’
To do this, prune back about a third of the plant and focus on creating newer, green growth to promote a bushier, healthier shape.
Should sage be cut back in winter? If you’ve been paying attention, you know the answer is a resounding “No!” is.
Therefore, store those pruning shears until the frost is over. Only then should you start pruning away your beloved herbs…