Pruning Sage

Sage 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, once the risk of hard frost has passed and new growth is visible. Avoid pruning in autumn or winter, as this stimulates soft growth that can be damaged by frost, and sage is evergreen so retains its leaves year-round. In spring, cut back about one-third of the previous year's growth, trimming stems just above a pair of healthy leaves or a visible bud. Use clean, sharp secateurs to make neat cuts. Focus on removing any dead, damaged, or frost-blackened shoots first, then shape the plant by shortening leggy stems. The aim is to encourage branching and keep the plant dense and productive. Never cut back into old, bare wood at the base, as sage is reluctant to regenerate from very old stems. If your sage has become very woody or neglected, resist the temptation to prune it hard all at once. Instead, renovate it gradually over two or three years, removing no more than a third of the growth each spring. Very old, unproductive plants are often best replaced. Throughout the growing season, pinch out the tips of young shoots to encourage bushiness and delay flowering if you want to prioritise leaf production. However, sage flowers in early summer and are attractive to bees, so many gardeners leave some stems to bloom. Deadheading spent flowers tidies the plant but is not essential.