The Australian wax flower grows beautifully bushy. Every year from March it decorates its branches with numerous flowers. Can pruning measures actually make a useful contribution to their cultivation? The plant itself doesn't ask for it.
When and how do you cut the Australian wax flower?
Pruning the Australian waxflower (Chamelaucium uncinatum) is not absolutely necessary, but can help shape and promote denser branching. The ideal time to prune is in March before flowering or in autumn if necessary.
Pruning is not necessary
Chamelaucium is one of the plants that does not require pruning to care for. On the other hand, the shrub tolerates the use of scissors well and can be cut back if necessary. The only question is when and how cutting makes sense.
Shaping the bush
You can cut back the Australian wax flower in the following cases:
- if it has grown too tall
- if the bush has become too wide
- if the crown has lost the desired shape
- if denser branching is desired
Wait for the ideal time
During flowering, the scissors should remain in the garden shed, because the Australian shrub now only deserves admiring glances. The best time for cutting has been missed anyway. Wait for the next wintering.
Cut the shrub as soon as it is allowed outside again in spring. So around March, just before flowering. If the winter quarters are cramped, you can exceptionally use scissors in the fall. But then only cut as much as absolutely necessary. The rest can be trimmed in spring.
Tip
Use sharp cutting tools to leave smooth cuts. It is also important that the scissors are cleaned or disinfected well before and after use. This means that disease germs may not have the opportunity to spread from plant to plant.
Cut branches for the vase
From March onwards, all branches of the Australian waxflower are overflowing with small flowers. Depending on the variety, they are white, pink, purple or even colorful. The flowering period lasts until summer. Although this plant is not a typical cut flower, its long branches can enrich any bouquet.
It will not harm the Australian wax flower if you cut a few branches for the vase. Distribute the cuts so that the shrub maintains its attractive shape.
