Photo: Mason Brock (Masebrock), Public domain · source
Pruning guide · Shrub
Lace shrub: when and how to prune
Stephanandra incisa
Lace shrub is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in March |
| Flowering | June–July |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Lace shrub: when to prune it?
Late February to March, before the new shoots start.
What else to prune in those months? March
Lace shrub: how to prune it?
- Remove the oldest, dead or bare stems right at the base.
- Shorten overhanging stems to the shape you want.
- An overgrown or bare plant can be cut back in March to 20–30 cm above the ground; it then regrows.
- As ground cover: cut off rooted runners at the edge.
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.
- Lace shrub flowers in June–July, 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: The rooting stems let it spread: give it room or lift the runners.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Lace shrub · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.