Pruning Rosemary

Rosemary benefits from regular pruning to maintain a compact, bushy shape and prevent it becoming woody and bare at the base. Prune in April or May, after the risk of hard frost has passed but before the main flush of new growth. Pruning too late in summer or autumn can stimulate soft growth that won't harden off before winter, leaving the plant vulnerable to frost damage. Use clean, sharp secateurs or garden shears for the job. Start by removing any dead, damaged, or frost-blackened shoots, cutting back to healthy green wood. Then trim back the previous year's growth by about one-third to one-half, cutting just above a leaf node or side shoot. This encourages dense, bushy regrowth and prevents the plant from becoming leggy. Avoid cutting into old, thick, brown stems, as rosemary is reluctant to regenerate from very old wood. If your plant has become very woody and bare, it's often better to replace it rather than attempt severe renovation pruning. Light trimming throughout the growing season—especially when harvesting sprigs for the kitchen—also helps maintain shape and vigour. After the main flowering period in late spring or early summer, you can give the plant a light trim to tidy it up and remove spent flower spikes. If you live in a colder part of zone 7, be cautious with autumn pruning; it's safer to wait until spring when you can see which shoots have survived the winter.