Photo: DirkHoffmann, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Shrub
Crimson bottlebrush: when and how to prune
Melaleuca citrina
Crimson bottlebrush is best pruned in August–September.
| Pruning months | August–September |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in August |
| Flowering | June–August |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Crimson bottlebrush: when to prune it?
After flowering, in August–September.
Crimson bottlebrush: how to prune it?
- Cut off the spent spikes with a few centimetres of green shoot.
- Shape the shrub lightly: shorten overlong shoots to just above a pair of leaves.
- Remove dead or weak branches completely.
- Leave the woody capsules or cut them off with the spikes; they are harmless.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: August–September.
- Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in 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.
- Crimson bottlebrush flowers in June–August, 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.
- 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 into old, bare wood: it often fails to regrow. Do not prune late in autumn either, as the new growth freezes easily.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Crimson bottlebrush · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.