Photo: Ghislain118 http://www.fleurs-des-montagnes.net, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
.jpg){kind=link}
Pruning guide · Shrub
Caper: when and how to prune
Capparis spinosa
Caper is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in March |
| Flowering | June–September |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Caper: when to prune it?
In March, before the new shoots appear; for a pot overwintered indoors, just before it goes back outside.
What else to prune in those months? March
Caper: how to prune it?
- Cut all of last year’s stems back to 5–10 cm above the rootstock: it flowers on this year’s new shoots.
- Remove dead and frozen stems completely.
- Do not prune in summer: every shoot then carries buds and flowers.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: 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: There are small, sharp hooked thorns at the base of the leaves: wear gloves when pruning and harvesting.
Nearby: related pruning guides
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.