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Pruning guide · Shrub
Spanish broom: when and how to prune
Spartium junceum
Spanish broom is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in March |
| Flowering | June–August |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets |
Spanish broom: when to prune it?
In March, before the new shoots appear. Prune lightly.
What else to prune in those months? March
Spanish broom: how to prune it?
- Shorten last year’s twigs by about a third, just above green, living shoots.
- Cut off frozen or dead twigs as soon as you can see where the new shoots break, usually in April–May.
- Remove dead and weak branches right at the base.
- A light yearly prune keeps it compact and stops it from becoming bare and woody.
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.
- Spanish broom flowers in June–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: Never cut back into old, bare wood: it does not regrow from there and the shrub may die. Stay within the young green twigs. Spanish broom is poisonous: wear gloves and keep clippings away from children, pets and livestock.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Spanish broom · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.