Prune early flowering shrubs such as philadelphus and weigela this month. Don’t leave it too late. This will enable the shrub to put on new growth which will flower next year.

Cut back fading flowers on perennials this month unless you want to keep the seeds. Oriental poppies can be cut to ground level, and hardy geraniums can have their faded flowers cut back using shears. Delphiniums can also have their flower spikes cut back; this will encourage new shoots which might give another bloom later in the summer. Aquilegias can also be cut back. If you have compost facilities the pruned material can be composted.

Plant out autumn flowering bulbs now, nerines and colchicums will flower in September, October and sometimes November. These will need to be planted in well-drained soil and preferably at the base of a south facing fence or wall.