SoS: Gardening in August – Pruning Back

As the long, hot, dry summer draws to a close and the temperatures begin to drop, we have finally enjoyed some heavy showers. When I walked into the garden after the latest cloudburst, it seemed to me that you could actually smell that the plants were happy…

But as I walked around the garden with a critical eye after a socially busy July and August, I was dismayed to see just how much work needs to be done.

1. Pelargoniums

The Pelargoniums are now way past their best so I need to take drastic action.

The red Pelargoniums planted directly in the ground have held their own but have grown leggy and the stems woody. Originally taken from cuttings, they’ve been happily growing in the ground without any attention for years.

This picture was taken in April 2026

August 2026, whilst still flowering, the plants have become scraggly and the stems woody. Maybe it’s time to take cuttings while I still have some softwood and cut the rest back?

After my afternoon siesta and decision made, I pruned the plants right back and took some cuttings. Only five and they have two chances. On closer inspection, it seems they have sent out healthy runners, and more plants are popping up elsewhere.

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Pink Pelargoniums growing in a pot. I don’t overwinter them inside. Picture taken APRIL 2026

By the end of June, the flowers were all but spent. I did collect some of the seed pods and put them back in the soil. Not sure if they will germinate.

At the end of Aug 2026, it’s time to take cuttings but I’m in a dilemma. Back in March 2024 I bought three plants as pictured below. Not bad; they survived two winters!

1. Do I prune them right back and take cuttings.
2. Prune and overwinter in holding pots, then replant the display container with other plants to create a colourful winter display.
3. Throw them away and start again with new plants next Spring?

That’s it for my SoS for this Saturday, folks. Yep, I know it’s been a while, but I promise that while I’ve not been actively blogging, I have been busy in the garden.

2. Hydrangeas

The beautiful blooms we enjoyed in spring and early summer …

now looked bedraggled. The white mould from the humidity (we live near the sea) was taking its toll on the leaves and dying blooms. I’d already removed some flower heads but horrors on horrors

I pruned right back and new green shoots are already sprouting!

3. Passiflora Demise – Can it be Saved?

For some reason, a section of the passion flower died. Why I have no idea because earlier in the year it was perfectly healthy

I was going to cut it right back, dig it out, replace the soil and buy another plant….like a dipladenia which I know tolerates our challenging humid climate… but while I was busy elsewhere this morning Mr Piglet surprised me

and removed the dead section. We will see.

4. Rosemary

The huge rosemary bush continues to flourish but needs a good prune… however, despite it blocking a walkway, I am loath to do so because it is home to so many bees. The newest arrival is a black and white bee who, despite my best efforts to photograph to help me identify it, is camera-shy. Apparently, there are several different types.

5. Plumbago auriculata

Another shrub I am loathe to prune back is the plumbago which is now so big we have a problem driving the car on the drive and fully opening the gate

6. Oleander

The oleander is now well over 3m high and desperately needs pruning, and the area beneath needs hoovering while all the debris is still dry. But it will have to wait.

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That’s it for my six this Saturday, my fellow gardeners. My thanks to our host Jim over at Gardening Ruminations.

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