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Pruning guide · Shrub
Carolina allspice: when and how to prune
Calycanthus floridus
Carolina allspice is best pruned in July–August.
| Pruning months | July–August |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in July–August |
| Flowering | May–July |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets |
Carolina allspice: when to prune it?
After flowering, in July–August. It needs little pruning.
Carolina allspice: how to prune it?
- Every one to two years, remove a few of the oldest stems at the base; this keeps the shrub young and free-flowering.
- Cut out dead, damaged and crossing branches.
- Shorten overlong shoots to just above a few leaves.
- Remove unwanted suckers at the edge.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: July–August.
- Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in July–August 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: Clear up prunings that carry fruits straight away and do not leave them where children or animals can reach them. Carolina allspice is poisonous: wear gloves and keep clippings away from children, pets and livestock.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Carolina allspice · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.