Photo: Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Annual
Busy Lizzie: when and how to prune
Impatiens walleriana
Busy Lizzie is best pruned in April and July.
| Pruning months | April and July |
|---|---|
| Flowering | May–October |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Busy Lizzie: when to prune it?
Real pruning is not needed. Pinch young plants in April, and in July you can shorten long, floppy stems.
Busy Lizzie: how to prune it?
- Pinch out the tips of young plants with your fingers, just above a leaf.
- If a plant becomes tall and open in July, cut the longest stems back by a third.
- Then water and feed: within a few weeks it will be flowering freely again.
- Use the trimmed tips as cuttings.
How much to cut, and how often?
- There are 2 pruning periods a year: April and July. You don’t have to prune in every one.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Don’t cut more than you need to: what stays standing gives insects and birds food and shelter.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Busy Lizzie · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.