Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Shrub
Broom: when and how to prune
Cytisus scoparius
Broom is best pruned in June–July.
| Pruning months | June–July |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in June–July |
| Flowering | May–June |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees, butterflies and birds |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets |
Broom: when to prune it?
Straight after flowering.
Broom: how to prune it?
- Cut the faded shoots back by half: the shrub stays dense and flowers well again next year.
- Never cut into the old, bare wood: broom won’t regrow from it.
- An old, bare shrub is better replaced by a young plant.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: June–July.
- Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in June–July can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Broom flowers in May–June, when it attracts bees.
- If pruning falls during flowering, wait until it is over or leave part of the plant to flower, so bees and butterflies still benefit.
- Host plant: caterpillars of butterflies or moths eat the leaves.
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
- 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: Prune before the pods ripen: it will self-seed less. Clear up the prunings, as they are poisonous to animals.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Similar to: Difference from gorse
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.