Autumn Pruning

Now is a good time to prune summer-flowering trees and shrubs after they have flowered. Be careful not to prune shrubs such as Forsythia now as you will remove most of next spring's flowers.
Plants such as lilacs, forsythia, philadelphus, ribes and some of the spiraeas form flower buds on growth produced from the previous year. Any top pruning will result in loss of flowers.

You can, however, thin overgrown shrubs by removing some of the stems all the way to the ground. This lets some light into the middle of the plant and prevents the "leggy" look that can come when shrubs become overgrown.

A good general rule is to remove one-third of the oldest stems each year. Remove stems that have become too large, that are insect-or-disease ridden or that may show  dieback. Pruning these stems leaves a healthy shrub that flowers evenly and does not develop a leggy look. The amount removed depends on the density of the stems and the length of time since the last pruning.

Avoid pruning paints or wound dressings, as they tend to harbour disease organisms.
 

Roses can be partially pruned at this time of year to avoid wind damage through autumn and winter. Standards and staked roses should be checked to ensure that the stakes are firm in the ground and that the ties are in good condition and not constricting the stem.

Some of the taller leggy growth can be removed at this time and the remainder of the pruning completed through the dormant season.

Allowing roses to flower very late in the season can deplete their energy reserves, affecting growth and flowering in the following season(s).

When pruning roses, make a sloping cut just above a side bud, preferably to one that is pointing away from the centre of the plant. This will direct growth outward to form a more shapely plant.
 

You will need appropriate pruning equipment. Good quality pruning shears with sharp, clean blades should be used and they should be sterilised regularly to avoid the spread of diseases. This can be simply done by dipping in clean boiling water. To prune large stems from shrubs and to thin trees, a pruning saw and a pair of lopping shears are required.