How To Prune or Pinch Mock Orange or Philadelphus shrub

[NorthCoastGardening]

If your flowering is hit or miss - I've noticed that if I try to pinch/ prune them for size - I lose blooms – not all, but some. I've also noticed in low-water gardens they don't bloom well. They are a Hydrangea relative after all, so it makes sense.

I hope that is helpful! (so sorry I only just noticed that I hadn't responded here! I didn't mean to ignore you, dear Rebecca!)

[NorthCoastGardening]

I've seen people recommend that you remove the flowering stems after bloom, but my trusted pruning book does not agree (Pruning and Training by Brickell and Joyce). I have the best luck when I leave them mostly alone and just do that little bit of thinning each summer to promote new basal stems to come up.

[NorthCoastGardening]

Hey Rebecca! I usually prune these after blooming (yeah - July, August), and I simply remove a quarter of the oldest branches at the base.

The flowering stems will flower nicely for about four years, after which they start losing steam and become an "old" branch.

to be continued...

[gossipinthegarden]

Another great video, Gen! I was wondering...when do you prune this shrub? I've heard that you need to prune them after they bloom (in my area that's in July) so they have time to form buds for the next year. I have 3 of these shrubs and have hit or miss blooms & am wondering if it's my pruning that's the culprit?

[andrewdelvard]

Excellent. Thanks.