There is nothing quite like the romantic, cascading drama of a wisteria in full bloom. But once those stunning purple tassels fade around the middle of June, the real work begins. If left to its own devices, this vigorous climber will quickly turn into an unruly tangled mess, swallowing windows and gutters alike. The secret to keeping it in check—and ensuring an absolute explosion of flowers next spring—lies in a simple two-stage pruning routine, starting right now.

Wisteria naturally produces its gorgeous blossoms on new growth that emerges from short spurs off the main woody framework. Mid-summer is the prime window to tackle these wildly spiralling fresh green stems. Grab your sharpest secateurs and cut all of this season’s long, whippy new shoots back to a spur, leaving only about six inches of growth. This might feel drastic, but it instantly opens up the plant, allows sunlight to ripen the remaining wood, and channels the vine’s energy into flower bud production rather than endless leaf growth. It is also the perfect opportunity to tidy up the display, carefully training and tying in loose stems to keep the framework secure.

If the thought of hacking into your beloved climber makes you nervous, take a deep breath. Gardening is rarely an exact science, and wisteria is incredibly resilient. When in doubt, it is always better to err on the side of caution and prune a little too lightly. You can easily fix any hesitation during the second round of pruning in the depths of winter. Once the autumn frost has cleared the dense foliage, the plant’s bare skeleton is revealed. In January or February, you can bravely go back in and cut those same side shoots down to just two or three inches, leaving neat little nubs ready to burst with next year’s spectacular show.