There are different opinions among gardeners about pruning the sackflower, which are certainly justified. After all, there are various varieties that of course have different care requirements due to their different sizes.
When and how should you cut a sackflower?
Saccharine flowers should be cut regularly depending on the variety to promote lush flowering. Cut varieties that bloom on old wood in autumn, and cut varieties that bloom on young shoots in spring. Shorten shoots by about a third and remove wilted flowers.
Does the sack flower need to be cut regularly?
A regular pruning of your sackflower is definitely recommended so that you can enjoy lush blooms. Whether this should be done better in spring or autumn depends on your care habits, but also on the variety. Some sackflowers bloom on old wood, while others bloom on this year's young shoots.
If your sackflower blooms on the young shoots, it is recommended to cut it back in late winter before it sprouts again in spring. Varieties that bloom on old wood can also be cut back in autumn.
In spring you may want to remove any frozen shoots. June, on the other hand, is the right time to take cuttings for propagation. If you haven't trimmed your sackflower for a few years, then it's probably time to rejuvenate it.
Is pruning recommended after flowering?
Slightly pruning the shoot tips immediately after flowering should promote compact growth. If you regularly remove the wilted flower spikes, you will encourage your sackflower to form new buds and thus bloom longer and more luxuriantly.
Pruning the sackflower in the hedge
If you have planted an entire hedge with sackflowers, you should definitely prune them regularly. On the one hand, this cut serves to maintain a beautiful shape, and on the other hand, it prevents the sackflower from becoming too woody and only blooming a little.
The rejuvenation cut for the sackflower
A so-called rejuvenation cut is recommended for older sackflowers that have already become woody and only bloom sparsely. Do it in three stages, spread over the next three years. Every year, cut back a third of the existing shoots to about half of their previous length, so that in the end all shoots are shortened.
The most important things in brief:
- annual pruning recommended
- cutting sack flowers blooming on old wood in autumn
- cut sackflowers blooming on the young shoots in spring
- Short shoots by about a third
- always cut above an outward-facing eye
- cut off wilted flowers for renewed growth
- Spread rejuvenation cut over 3 years
- cut back older sackflowers more vigorously
- Cut cuttings in early summer
Tip
If you are not sure whether your sackflower blooms on old or new wood, it is best to cut the plant back slightly in autumn. In case of doubt, pruning in spring could lead to the flower failing.