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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Also, cut out any old or dead wood back to the ground. [1] X Research source Because they cut indiscriminately, hedge shears create multiple growing points. Even dwarf varieties need a good pruning each year. By using our site, you agree to our. Use caution when using pruning shears and other sharp tools. You can simply do this by wiping the tools down with a mixture of bleach and water or rubbing alcohol and water. If you prune in the early spring before your shrubs bloom, you'll cut off the buds that will grow into flowers. The shrub should still look natural, so don’t try to make the top perfectly flat like a formally manicured hedge. Be careful not to poke your eyes when you reach into the shrub to prune the interior. For the overall general health of the shrub, mock orange pruning should be done once a year, not just when it doesn?t bloom or has gotten overgrown. Mock orange blooms on the previous year’s wood. It is recommended that mock orange shrubs not be pruned or deadheaded after July to ensure blooms the next spring. You can shape it by thinning out the top growth after the flowers fade, but you won’t remove any canes for the first few years. When pruning anything, always discard the cut branches immediately to avoid the spread of pests and disease. I think the only pruning you have done is to prune the … For tips from our Gardening co-author on how to prune an overgrown shrub, keep reading! Cut at their base the oldest branches more or less every 3 years. That is what council gardeners do and it works perfectly. After the blooming, prune the year’s new growth back to half its length. Murraya paniculata 'Exotica'). They grew to be about six feet high with quite a few branches. References. Even dwarf varieties need a good pruning each year. Philadelphus lewisii: Mock Orange Philadelphus lewisii is tolerant of a wide variety of conditions, from full sun to partial shade, from moist to dry. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. Native mock orange (Murraya paniculata) is very similar to the cultivated exotic form of mock orange (i.e. This will help boost a bushy habit and new shoots. For example, suppose your soil has lots of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), but is low in nitrogen (N). What is the best time of the year to trim bushes? But as with many shrubs that do not actually need … You most likely will not get any blooms that spring, but the plant will grow back healthier and provide blooms the following season. Hand Pruning Shears: Stems up to half inch in diameter can be pruned with hand shears. Can I prune a mock orange on the first of October in northern Michigan? Hi, I grew this from a twig and it's about 20 yrs old now. There’s usually no need to prune mock orange shrubs until their third or fourth year. Pruning immediately after flowering has finished reduces the chances of you accidentally removing next year’s flower buds. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow. As a rule of thumb, apply about 4 fl oz (120 mL) of liquid fertilizer diluted in 1 US gal (3.8 L) of water. Mock Orange or Philadelphus is an attractive Hydrangea relative that does fantastic in the garden. That helps renew the vigor of your mock-orange and stimulate the next blooming. Sign up for our newsletter. Some summer pruning can also be done on particularly vigorous plants but, not after mid-July. Clip branches that are thinner than. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. 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