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Pruning guide · Shrub
Garland flower (Daphne cneorum): when and how to prune
Daphne cneorum
Garland flower (Daphne cneorum) is best pruned in June.
| Pruning months | June |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in June |
| Flowering | April–May |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets |
Garland flower (Daphne cneorum): when to prune it?
Hardly needed. To keep it in shape, trim lightly straight after flowering, in June.
What else to prune in those months? June
Garland flower (Daphne cneorum): how to prune it?
- Shorten overlong shoots to just above a leaf.
- Remove dead or brown shoots back to healthy wood.
- Never cut hard into old, bare wood: it rarely regrows from there.
- Wear gloves: the sap can irritate the skin.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: June.
- Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in June 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: Do not prune in autumn or winter: you would remove next spring’s flower buds. Garland flower (Daphne cneorum) is poisonous: wear gloves and keep clippings away from children, pets and livestock.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Garland flower (Daphne cneorum) · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.