7 popular perennials to prune now to encourage a second flush of blooms later this summer

Also known as alchemilla mollis, Lady's mantle is a herbaceous perennial forming a clump of softly hairy leaves that catch the glistening morning dew. "After flowering, cutting back Alchemilla mollis prevents self-seeding and encourages fresh foliage and sometimes a light second flush of flowers," Julian advises.

Diascias come in array of dashing tones of blue and red, like this beautiful apricot-hued specimen. They're often grown in pots and hanging baskets, where they'll provide colour all season if cut back frequently. "Diascia benefits from regular trimming or deadheading to keep it compact and promote continuous flowering right through summer," Julian adds.

To keep the fluorescent purplish blue blooms of catmint (which also known as nepeta) going, give them a generous trim once they've finished flowering. "Nepeta benefits from being cut back after its first flush of flowers. Shearing the plant by around a third will encourage fresh growth and a second wave of blooms later in the season," Julian explains.

Herbaceous salvias, like this pink woodland saga (salvia nemorosa), are also among the plants benefitting from a seasonal trim. "They will often produce repeat flowers if deadheaded regularly," says the plant expert. "Cutting back spent flower spikes encourages continuous blooming throughout summer."

Choisya, also known as Mexican orange blossom, is an evergreen shrub that produces white blooms in spring and, after a light prune, in summer. "After its main spring flowering, choisya can be lightly trimmed to encourage a second, lighter flush later in the summer," says Julian. "Cut back faded flowered growth to promote fresh shoots and repeat blooms."