Position Hamamelis where they can be appreciated during the winter months, but remember that most ultimately grow up to 6m in height and spread. However, being slow-growing, they can be enjoyed in smaller gardens for many years and growth can be controlled by pruning.

If there is no restriction on space, keep pruning to a minimum. Prune out any dead or damaged wood, cutting to healthy young growth and remove congested, crossing or weak shoots. Prune after the flowers have faded but before new growth begins.

When reducing the height and spread of established plants, maintain the natural shape by pruning back two or three longer branches to well-placed side branches. Take care not to over-prune.

Where space is at a premium, you can create a dense shrub by harder pruning. Cut back each shoot's previous season's extension growth to two leaf buds. Leaf buds can be distinguished from the rounded flower buds by a longer, narrower shape

Check for suckers, as most cultivars are grafted onto Hamamelis virginiana. These are shoots that hold on to their leaves for longer into the autumn and originate close to or below soil level. Follow such shoots down and cut at the point of origin.

Pruning conservatory climbers

You can now prune indoor, greenhouse and conservatory climbers to keep within their allotted space.

Thin out the stems of Plumbago, passion flower, Abutilon and jasmine so they have a neat framework of branches. To keep the size in check, cut back the previous year's growth to two or three buds from the main framework branches.

Prune Bougainvillea and Mandevilla, as long as they were not pruned in autumn after flowering. Prune back last year's growth to 2.5cm (1in) from the main woody framework.

Thin out any weak side shoots from Stephanotis floribunda AGM (known as frangipani). If the plant needs reducing in size, cut back all sideshoots to 7.5cm (3in) and shorten the main branch tips by half their length.

Some conservatory climbers can simply be pruned as required to fit the space.

Cut stem roses

Get the best from your Valentine roses with these simple steps.

Remove all outer packaging, except for hand-tied bouquets where the inner string holding the stems together must remain intact.

Cut off the lowest 2cm of stem with a sharp pair of scissors or secateurs, angling the cut at 45 degrees. Stems cut horizontally are in danger of sitting flat on the bottom of the vase, preventing good water uptake.

Clean the vase thoroughly, either by scrubbing it out or rinsing with small copper balls. These are ideal for narrow-necked vases and available from good florists. Use a little bleach in the cleaning water.

Fill the vase with clean water and insert roses. Position in a cool room for maximum vase life but warm rooms will help open up tight buds.

Rescue stems with drooping heads by wrapping tightly in a tube of newspaper (but protect pale blooms from print-marks with a sheet of white paper), securing with string and plunging up to the top of the stem in a bucket of water. Leave overnight in a cool place before unwrapping. Discard any that remain droopy.