A shimmering spring fairy tale of mother-of-pearl flowers and sprawling growth characterize the Kolkwitzia. Since the picturesque flowering shrub tends to become bare, you should use scissors to regulate it every few years. In these instructions you can read when and how to cut the mother-of-pearl shrub correctly.
Small kolkowitzias should be supported
Topiary at the end of June
When young, knowledgeable gardeners let the Kolkwitzie grow uncut. The reward for this foresight is an opulently romantic silhouette with elegantly overhanging, flowering shoots. Only when the ornamental tree, with a height and width of up to 4 meters, exceeds the available space, does a topiary curb the growth. How to cut your mother-of-pearl shrub correctly:
- The best time is late June/early July, after the end of the flowering period
- Cut back overly long shoots into the desired shrub shape
- Start each cut 3-5mm above an eye, bud or young side shoot
The summer topiary concentrates on this year's growth and takes place in good time before the planting of new flower buds. Plan the pruning measure only when necessary, because precautions against progressive balding take place during the leafless period.
Young Kolkwitzie bars
Young Kolkwitzien often tend to grow more in width than in height and resemble a ground cover. You show the growth the desired upright direction by stabbing the bush. To do this, tie all the shoots loosely around a bamboo stick with a wide ribbon. As lignification progresses, the shoots gain stability so that the band and stick can be removed.
Thin out every 2 years in winter
Nature lovers among hobby gardeners ignore recommendations to thin out the Kolkwitzia in connection with a summer topiary. Each thinning cut has profound effects on the flowering shrubs, which are prohibited during the statutory grace period. According to the Federal Nature Conservation Act, the time window for thinning out shrubs is from October 1st to February 28th. If you heed this cut, the next heyday will remain without significant losses:
- In the first step, saw off dead, bare shoots at the base
- If there is no deadwood, cut off two to four of the oldest skeleton shoots at ground level
- Choose vital young shoots as a replacement and leave them standing
- Remove remaining low-growth shoots
If you have any doubts about the age of a shoot, take a look at the color and texture of the bark. Young wood of a Kolkwitzia is reddish green to light brown and hairy. You can recognize old wood by its dark brown, rough bark. To determine if a shoot is alive or dead, scrape off a little bark. If green tissue appears, it is not deadwood. Brown, dry tissue reveals the shoot as lifeless.
tips
When pruning in early summer, you will come across numerous shoots that, as cuttings, will turn into magnificent Kolkwitzias. Choose semi-lignified, non-flowering head cuttings that are six inches long. Pots with lean growing soil and a bright, warm location are advantageous for rapid rooting.