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Asked by: Maurita Rochford
home and garden landscapingHow do you prune overgrown Philadelphus?
Last Updated: 22nd April, 2020
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Simply so, can Philadelphus be hard pruned?
Hard pruning usually stimulates strong new growth, but unfortunately will result in the loss of flowers for a year or two for some shrubs (particularly those, such as Philadelphus and Camellia, that flower on the previous season's growth).
Additionally, why does my mock orange not flower? Like lilacs, mock orange should be pruned right after flowers fade. Pruning too late in the season can cut off next year's buds. Improper fertilization can also be a reason why a mock orange bush does not bloom. Too much nitrogen from lawn fertilizers can cause a mock orange to grow large and bushy but not flower.
Regarding this, can I prune Philadelphus now?
Several philadelphus can be pruned at this time of year. You can prune mock orange (P. coronarius) now that flowering has finished to improve flowering for next year. Feeding the plant after pruning will help encourage vigorous growth.
When should you prune Philadelphus?
- Timing: Prune immediately after flowering.
- Examples: Flowering currant (Ribes), Forsythia, mock orange (Philadelphus), Weigela.
- Pruning: Cut back flowered growth to strong young shoots lower down. Each year cut out up to 20 percent of ageing stems to near the base.