Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Pruning guide · Shrub
Daisy bush (Olearia × haastii): when and how to prune
Olearia × haastii
Daisy bush (Olearia × haastii) is best pruned in April and September.
| Pruning months | April and September |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in April |
| Flowering | July–August |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and butterflies |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Daisy bush (Olearia × haastii): when to prune it?
Light pruning can be done straight after flowering, in September. Cut out frost damage only in April, when you can see which branches shoot again.
Daisy bush (Olearia × haastii): how to prune it?
- Shorten faded clusters and branches that are too long back to a healthy side shoot.
- Keep the shape compact and rounded; spread a big prune over two years rather than doing everything at once.
- In April, cut brown, frosted branches back to green wood.
How much to cut, and how often?
- There are 2 pruning periods a year: April and September. You don’t have to prune in every one.
- 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.
- Daisy bush (Olearia × haastii) flowers in July–August, when it attracts bees and butterflies.
- 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 in late autumn: new shoots are then easily killed by frost.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Daisy bush (Olearia × haastii) · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.