Photo: Júlio Reis (Tintazul), CC BY-SA 2.5 · source
Pruning guide · Shrub
Common myrtle: when and how to prune
Myrtus communis
Common myrtle is best pruned in April.
| Pruning months | April |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in April |
| Flowering | July–August |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Common myrtle: when to prune it?
In April, before new growth starts, give it a light shaping trim.
What else to prune in those months? April
Common myrtle: how to prune it?
- Shorten overlong or straggly shoots to just above a pair of leaves.
- Thin out the inside of the shrub a little if it gets too dense, to let in light and air.
- For a ball or standard, trim the outside with small shears or scissors.
- Remove frosted or dead shoots back to healthy wood.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: April.
- Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in April can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Common myrtle flowers in July–August, 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: Hard pruning or clipping in summer costs flowers: you remove the shoots that were about to bloom.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Common myrtle · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.