When to Prune Blue Spirea?

Blue spirea (Caryopteris divaricata), works well for dry inland areas with reduced rainfall in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. These plants thrive in full sunlight or partial shade and require minimal watering. Pruning is one of the few duties you will need to perform. Besides its own drought-tolerance, blue spirea doesn’t require much fertilizer.

When to Prune

Blue spirea blooms on new growth. This means you should do almost all of your pruning either in winter or at the start of spring prior to the onset of new growth. In light coastal areas, where blue spirea will last the winter without dying into the ground, it is far better to prune in late winter to prevent pruning early shoots in spring. Pruning a blue spirea yearly will support full, bushy growth for this season.

Maintenance Pruning

Standard maintenance reconstruction entails cutting the plant by many inches to support growth. When executing maintenance pruning, also cut back dead branches to reside tissues, and also shape the plant just as desired. Prevent the spread of plant diseases by sanitizing your pruning shears before starting work. Do this by soaking the shears at a mixture of 1 part bleach to 3 parts water, for five minutes. Use hand shears for this pruning, which can cut branches around 3/4 inch thick.

Rejuvenation Pruning

Blue spirea responds positively to intense pruning, also referred to as rejuvenation pruning. This kind of pruning involves cutting the tree to a 12 inches tall. Do this kind of pruning at the end of winter, but do not do it if new growth has started around the plant. This type of pruning is appropriate for older plants that are very leggy and possess lots of areas of dead timber.

Pruning to Avoid Reseeding

Blue spirea reseeds smoothly. You can stay away from seedlings by fortifying the dry blossoms from the tops of the shrubs at the conclusion of fall. If reseeding will be an issue in your yard, this plant might not be a good selection for you.

Tips for a Healthy Plant

Blue spirea’s low-maintenance makes it a smart choice if you don’t have a great deal of time for tending plants. Once established, it needs only to be watered occasionally during dry periods. A bi-weekly watering program should be adequate. Blue spirea will expand in a variety of soils but prefers soil with good drainage. You may need to amend heavy, clayey soils prior to planting blue spirea in your yard.

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