By Gattina
Bologna, Italy
My Spirea, Wedding bouquet (I think) has just finished flowering and I believe now is the time to prune it. Do I just snip the bits that have flowered, or do I cut the whole thing back? In short, will it flower on old or new growth next spring?
- 7 May, 2012
Answers
I cut back every branch that has flowered this year. It will flower next year on the new growth it makes this year.
What a beauty that one is. It's a very happy plant!
7 May, 2012
What a lovely spray of blossoms.
7 May, 2012
It was unfortunate that the year it flowered this well, I didn't think to cut it back until around late summer/early autumn, and the following spring was a bit of a wash-out flower-wise.
7 May, 2012
Thats the trouble Gattina, they look so lovely, that you don't want to be too heavy with the pruning, in case you get it wrong.My sister in law had a similar Spirea and I had to chop it back when I first did her garden as it was out of control. It always bloomed well afterwards. As it was my SIL's garden and she just wanted it kept tidy, I didn't worry a lot, but if it was my own, I would be more cautious.
7 May, 2012
Certainly they do flower on new wood, better than on old, so a judicious removal of the oldest stems would help the shrub flower in the future.
7 May, 2012
Thank you, everyone. Off to find the secateurs......
7 May, 2012
You can cut back hard with these at this time of year and still get flowers the following year.
7 May, 2012
I use an electric hedge trimmer on some of these in my customers' gardens. So long as it is done imediately after flowering you should get good flowers again next year
7 May, 2012
Snap, Anchorman, hedge trimmer for me too, though you always end up having to tidy by hand afterwards I find. It's still quicker though...
7 May, 2012
Previous question
« hi there, first time on the forum. Can someone tell me when I can cut back...
I,ve always called it bridal wreath Gattina and like it very much(I mentioned on karenfrance's blog that its with a pink ribes that flowers at the same time, I just give them a light trim after flowering.
Your plant is a lovely shape and looks really well
7 May, 2012