in May is beneficial for many , especially for shrubs and perennials that flower in the spring or early summer. Pruning now will help to encourage healthy growth and help lots of blooms appear throughout the season.

When it comes to pruning, the aim is to control size and improve shape, which in turn helps enhance the aesthetic appeal of your garden. In May, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) recommends pruning a variety of plants to encourage "abundant flowering" and maintain healthy growth.

Before pruning, it is crucial to check for signs of nesting, as it is nesting season.

Smaller shrubs are less likely to hide a nest, but be especially cautious if tackling dense or mature shrubs and trees.

The RHS noted: "Only start work once you are happy you will not be disturbing wildlife and stop immediately if you have any suspicion birds may be nesting.

"If need be, you can complete the work after August when nesting season should be over."

The RHS explained: "Prune spring-flowering shrubs such as japonica or Japanese quince, Choisya and Ribes after flowering.

"Remove one stem in three from Kerria and Spiraea, and shorten the other flowered stems to a suitable side shoot.

"Evergreens such as Viburnum tinus can also still be trimmed this month."

Make sure to prune dead or diseased stems of Clematis montana once it has finished flowering, too. Doing so will help to "encourage blooms" throughout the season.

The RHS said untangling stems can be fiddly, but once you can see where you are cutting, you need not worry about pruning this plant; it will take even hard cutting back very well.

Gardeners can also cut back tender shrubs such as Penstemon, Caryopteris and Fuschia after the danger of frost has passed.

Climbing and rambling roses should also be tied in this month to help produce more flowers.

Tying them in will restrict sap flow, which causes more side shoots to grow along the stem's length.