How to prune a tender shrub

How to Prune a Tender Shrub

Moving on to some of the less hardy shrubs in the White Garden, let's look at the slightly different approach needed for these.

Hibiscus is very easy - prune this year's growth down to a bud or two above last year's growth (marked by a change in colour and hardness), so it just gets taller by a bud or two each year.

• The new growth can be slightly tender, so we leave pruning until April to reduce the risk of frost damage.
• If you want a taller shrub, you can leave some shoots unpruned.

The same principles apply to:

• Wisteria, which we prune in February down to a couple of buds.
• Figs, for which we delay pruning until 1st April.
• Indigofera, which we also leave until April.

Plant Directory

Ficus carica and its cultivars

Figs

Hardy deciduous shrub

Moraceae

Hibiscus syriacus cultivars

Rose of Sharon

Hardy deciduous shrub

Malvaceae

Indigofera pendula

Weeping indigo

Hardy deciduous shrub

Fabaceae

Wisteria species and cultivars

Wisteria

Hardy deciduous climbers

Fabaceae