Photo: JLPC, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Shrub
Mexican orange blossom: when and how to prune
Choisya ternata
Mexican orange blossom is best pruned in May–June.
| Pruning months | May–June |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in May–June |
| Flowering | April–May |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Mexican orange blossom: when to prune it?
After flowering (May–June).
Mexican orange blossom: how to prune it?
- Shorten faded shoots to keep the shrub compact.
- A leggy or overgrown shrub sprouts again after hard pruning: cut a few old branches low down.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: May–June.
- Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in May–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: Only cut back frost-damaged branches in April, once you can see where it is sprouting again.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Similar to: Difference from mock orange · Difference from Japanese skimmia
Plant profile: Mexican orange blossom · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.