The spice bush is a true fragrance miracle, because its bark exudes a spicy clove aroma. The flowers, on the other hand, are reminiscent of the scent of magnolias. Regular pruning is required to ensure that the wood provides sensory experiences every year. They keep the shrub healthy.
A professional pruning ensures an abundance of flowers
ground rules
The dividing tissue is located in the branch of the spice bush. This lies just below the bark and is called the cambium. When injured, it forms wound tissue that closes the open interface. Botanists use the term sleeping eye to mean secondary buds that serve to restore lost branches. If these proventive buds are damaged, the shrub can no longer sprout.
How to do it right:
- cut just above a bud when shortening
- The last eye shows the growth direction of the new shoot and should point outwards
- If the branch is completely removed, cut directly at the base and do not leave any stubs
- be careful not to damage the astring
time
Planting is pruned immediately after planting the shrub in the garden. Thinning cuts are carried out after the winter when the wood is about to sprout and there is no risk of frost. The ideal period for a rejuvenation cut extends from spring to summer.
cutting techniques
The spice shrub is generally well tolerated by pruning and can be subjected to various pruning measures every year. You should refrain from radical pruning, as this will severely limit flowering in the coming season. When cutting, limit yourself to thinning and tapering cuts. Plant cuts are possible if special growth forms are desired.
plant cutting
With this procedure you form a wide crown pyramid. The top drive is not shortened. If a competitive drive to the top has developed, you must cut it off cleanly. Choose three to five lateral leading branches, shortening the upper ones and leaving the lower ones long. Shorten all side branches and remove shoots that spoil the appearance.
tips
Leading branches are only shortened on the one-year-old shoots. Do not cut back into the two or three year old wood.
Thin out
First look at the wood from afar. This allows you to assess which branches are disrupting the growth habit and need to be removed. Spice bushes have oppositely arranged buds and develop forked branches whose shoots are of equal strength. Remove the branch that grows into the crown or steeply up. If branches cross or are too close together, they must also give way. Remove specimens that are dead, damaged, scrawny, and those that compete with the scaffolding branches.
Rejuvenate
Aged shrubs that are no longer flowering properly require rejuvenating pruning. Cut out three to four of the oldest branches just above ground level. If the spice bush has developed fresh young shoots in the next season, cut them in half and remove any disturbing branches.