Photo: Qwert1234, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Shrub
Redvein enkianthus: when and how to prune
Enkianthus campanulatus
Redvein enkianthus is best pruned in June.
| Pruning months | June |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in June |
| Flowering | May |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Redvein enkianthus: when to prune it?
Hardly needed. If you do prune, do it straight after flowering, in June.
What else to prune in those months? June
Redvein enkianthus: how to prune it?
- Remove dead, damaged and crossing branches.
- Cut back the odd overlong branch to a side branch so the tiered shape is kept.
- Renovate an old, overgrown shrub gradually by taking out one or two old branches low down each year.
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.
- Redvein enkianthus flowers in May, when it attracts bees.
- 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: It grows slowly: after hard pruning it takes years to recover. Better to prune too little than too much.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Redvein enkianthus · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.