Learn how to prune your burning bush to ensure a healthy plant and beautiful shrub.
Checkout this video:
Why prune your burning bush?
The burning bush (Euonymus alatus) is a stunning shrub that gets its name from its gorgeous fall color. The leaves turn a rich crimson hue, providing a beautiful contrast to the rest of your landscape. But in order to enjoy that color, you need to prune your burning bush properly.
Pruning not only helps to encourage new growth, but it also helps to shape the shrub and keep it looking its best. You should prune your burning bush in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Here’s how to do it:
First, remove any dead or damaged branches by cutting them back to healthy wood. Then, thin out the shrub by removing up to one-third of the branches. This will help increase air circulation and allow more light to reach the center of the plant. Finally, cut back any remaining branches by one-half.
After you’ve finished pruning, be sure to apply a fertilizer designed for shrubs. This will help your plant recover from the pruning and encourage new growth.
The best time to prune your burning bush
The best time to prune your burning bush is in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. You can prune your bush more heavily if it is overgrown, but be sure to leave some leaves on the stems so that the plant can photosynthesize and produce food for next year’s growth.
How to prune your burning bush
The burning bush (Euonymus alatus) is a deciduous shrub that is native to North America. It gets its name from its bright red leaves that appear in the fall. The burning bush is a popular landscaping plant because it is easy to care for and is tolerant of most soil types.
Cut away dead or diseased wood
Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring, before new growth appears. Cut away dead or diseased wood, and any crossing or rubbing branches. Cut back one-third of the remaining branches to encourage new growth.
Remove any suckers
Suckers are fast-growing shoots that come up from the roots and are characterized by their vertical growth habit. They compete with the main stem for water and nutrients, and if left unchecked, can completely take over the plant. Suckers can be removed by hand or with pruning shears.
Cut back the remaining stems
To reduce the bush’s size, cut back the remaining stems to about 12 inches (30 cm) above the ground in late winter or early spring. Depending on how much you want to reduce the bush’s size, you may want to remove one-third to one-half of the stems.
How to care for your newly pruned burning bush
After you have pruned your burning bush, it is important to give it the proper care in order to ensure that it will continue to thrive. Follow these tips on how to care for your newly pruned burning bush:
-Water regularly. Pruning can stress the plant, so make sure to water it more frequently than usual during the first few weeks.
-Fertilize. Use a balanced fertilizer and apply it according to the package instructions.
-Mulch. Mulching will help keep the roots of your plant warm and protected from extreme temperatures.
-Monitor for pests and diseases. Keep an eye out for any pests or diseases that may occur and treat them accordingly.