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Pruning guide · Shrub
Duke of Argyll’s teaplant: when and how to prune
Lycium barbarum
Duke of Argyll’s teaplant is best pruned in February–March.
| Pruning months | February–March |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in March |
| Flowering | June–September |
| Native to Belgium | No, naturalised |
Duke of Argyll’s teaplant: when to prune it?
At the end of winter (February–March).
Duke of Argyll’s teaplant: how to prune it?
- Thin out the shrub: remove old, dead and overcrowded branches at the base, to let in light and air.
- Shorten long, arching twigs to a strong side branch. The berries form on one-year-old wood: keep enough young twigs.
- Dig out suckers while you are pruning.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: February–March.
- Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in March can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: Wear gloves: many twigs have short thorns.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Similar to: Difference from bittersweet
Plant profile: Duke of Argyll’s teaplant · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.