AUTUMN will soon be with us, meaning it is time to ponder moving shrubs and trees.

We are about to embark on the perfect time to switch things around – when the weather is still largely favourable, but without having to worry excessively about the survival and establishment of your precious specimens.

Shrubs planted now will get off to a flying start next spring, as they will have had all winter to settle in.

Prune late-summer flowering shrubs such as philadelphus (mock orange blossom) and give evergreen hedges a final trim to make sure they are in shape for winter.

Climbing roses can be pruned once they have finished flowering; sideshoots from the main branches can be cut back to a couple of buds. Any dead, diseased or spindly growth should be cut out and new young shoots tied in to the supports, from the base. If there is an old, thick and woody, unproductive stem, it can be removed from the base to stimulate more vigorous growth.

Take semi-ripe cuttings of evergreen shrubs such as cistus, Cceanothus and viburnum.

Take hardwood cuttings of roses, choosing well-ripened, healthy shoots.

Thoroughly soak drought-stressed plants and shrubs, especially newly planted ones. As the weather becomes cooler and damper, the soil will better absorb and hold any extra water you give it.

Clear dead leaves promptly once they start to fall, as rotting leaves can be a source of disease in the garden.

They are, however, useful on the compost heap and can be shredded first with a shredder or mulching mower, to help them break down quicker.