Know when to trim burning bush plants, whether they need a gentle shaping or major prune
As the leaves change color in the fall, burning bush, which is also known as Euonymus alatus, is a reliable shrub. Burning bushes are low-maintenance shrubs that grow slowly and look good in a lot of different landscapes. However, they can get too big for their space over time.
Also, they tend to look weak because they can get too big and crowd out other plants or walkways. The shrubs will need to be pruned now and then, but not all the time. This will keep them in check and make them look their best.
Pruning can take place at slightly different times of year, depending on your reason for trimming. To make sure the shrubs recover properly and grow the fiery leaves they are known for, it is important to have the right timing.
The brilliant red foliage of the burning bush is a stunning addition to any garden. Also known as Euonymus alatus, this popular shrub provides a dramatic pop of color in the fall when its leaves turn a fiery crimson red.
However, without proper pruning the burning bush can easily become overgrown and leggy over time. Pruning is essential both for maintaining the burning bush’s health and for keeping its shape in check.
When done correctly, pruning will help ensure your burning bush stays compact and tidy, allowing its gorgeous fall foliage to really stand out. Here is a complete guide on how and when to prune burning bushes for optimal shaping and rejuvenation.
When is the Best Time to Prune a Burning Bush?
Pruning a burning bush is best done in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. The optimal time is usually late February to early March.
Pruning in winter while the bush is dormant allows cuts to heal quickly once growth resumes in spring. It also enables you to better see the branching structure without leaves in the way.
Burning bushes should not be pruned in fall after the leaves have turned red, as this can reduce the intensity of color in the following year.
Tools You’ll Need for Pruning Burning Bushes
Having the right pruning tools on hand will make manicuring your burning bushes much easier. For minor pruning and shaping, a pair of sharp bypass hand pruners is ideal.
For older, overgrown burning bushes that require major rejuvenation pruning, a lopper or pruning saw will be better equipped to cut through thicker branches.
Always sanitize tools before use with rubbing alcohol to prevent disease transmission. Make clean, angled cuts just above outward facing buds or stems when pruning. Avoid leaving unsightly stubs.
How to Shape and Maintain Burning Bushes
To maintain a shapely, compact burning bush, prune annually in early spring. First, remove any dead, damaged or crossing branches using a bypass pruner. This encourages air circulation and light penetration.
Next, trim wayward branches extending beyond the desired outline shape. Visualize the shape you want, then prune accordingly. Aim for an oval or round shape.
Shorten tall vertical shoots sprouting up above the rest of the canopy. This encourages full, bushy new growth. Avoid shearing the top into a ball.
Thinning inner branches also helps sunlight reach the entire shrub. Stand back occasionally to check shape as you prune.
How to Rejuvenate Old, Overgrown Burning Bushes
Neglected, overgrown burning bushes can often be revived through rejuvenation pruning. This severe pruning stimulates the production of new growth from the base or roots.
Use loppers or a pruning saw to cut all branches back to 6-12 inches from the ground. Remove dead and crossing branches entirely.
While this may seem extreme, the burning bush will regrow quickly, usually with improved vigor, shape and density. Fertilize after pruning to encourage regrowth.
New shoots may take a couple years to reach their former size, but the renewed foliage and form is well worth it. Rejuvenation pruning can be performed every 2-3 years as needed.
Pruning Burning Bushes into Hedges
Burning bushes make excellent informal hedges with their neat, compact growth habit. Space them 2-3 feet apart when planting a hedge row.
Prune into a continuous dense row, trimming sides and tops narrower than the bases to allow light penetration. Prune hedges in early spring before bud break.
Shearing burning bush hedges into tight formal shapes is not recommended. This destroys their natural form and autumn colors. Let them grow a bit more loosely.
Avoid Over-Pruning Burning Bushes
When pruning burning bushes, resist the urge to overdo it. Removing too much growth can stunt the plant or suppress those fabulous fall colors.
Stick to taking out no more than 30% of the top growth. Never prune deeper than one-third of the total shrub height.
Always prune with a purpose, only removing branches that detract from shape or health. Avoid arbitrarily cutting for the sake of cutting.
When to Stop Pruning in Fall and Winter
While spring is prime time for pruning burning bushes, you may need to do some corrective pruning in fall or winter.
Never prune after early August, as this can interfere with the plant’s winter hardening process.
Pruning too late in fall may cut off flower buds that emerge in summer, reducing next year’s fall color display.
Burn Beautiful with Proper Pruning
With their stellar fall color, burning bushes can be the stars of your landscape. But their beauty depends on judicious pruning at the right times.
Follow these tips to maintain your burning bushes, keeping them shapely and vibrant for years to come. Next autumn, you’ll be rewarded with a brilliant blaze of crimson foliage.
Late winter – major pruning
Late winter is the ideal time to do any major pruning. Now is a better time to prune dormant deciduous shrubs because they can handle the stress better and can start healing cuts quickly when they grow back.
Jessica Mercer from Plant Addicts claims late winter is a ‘good time’ to cut out up to a third of the oldest canes, or to thin the canopy. This opens up the shrub, improving light and air circulation, as well as reducing the overall size. She says that undergoing this heavy pruning in late winter means it will be able to ‘heal faster before summer heat sets it’.
When to do it, she says, “When the leaves are off, you can see the bush’s overall structure better and choose which branches to cut off and where to make your cuts.” It’s less likely that the cuts will get sick because most of the pathogens and insects that could be a problem later in the season are also sleeping right now. ’.
If things get really bad, burning bushes can be cut all the way down to 6 to 12 inches from the ground in late winter. The shrubs can recover from such a major pruning.
Jessica Mercer, PhD, is the Senior Content Marketing Coordinator for Plant Addicts. Jessica likes to grow a lot of different plants and learn about the best ways to care for each one as a plant collector. She uses her background in science to learn about interesting plants and share what she learns with other gardeners on Plant Addicts.
Burning bushes can grow very large and need pruning if they outgrow their area( credit: Getty s/zennie)
Early spring – regular pruning
Late winter or early spring is the best time to do routine pruning, like making small changes to the shape, getting rid of rubbing branches, or getting rid of dead, damaged, or diseased wood. Routine pruning can help get rid of diseased or dying wood that could spread disease. It will also encourage new growth that will have the brightest leaves.
Ward Dilmore, founder at Petrus Landscaping, says timing ‘ensures that the plant puts its energy into fresh growth’ when the warmer weather of spring arrives and the shrub comes out of dormancy.
He says, “As a gardener, I’ve seen the good effects of this method firsthand: in the spring, burned-down bushes that were pruned grow lush new growth.” ’.
If you’re going to prune your shrubs regularly, you should follow the one-third rule and take away no more than a third of their total volume.
Ward Dilmore is a landscape designer and founder of Petrus Landscape in the Bay Area of San Francisco.
New wood will give the most vivid color of foliage( credit: Getty s/delobol)
How to Prune Burning Bush
FAQ
How much can you cut back a burning bush?
Why are burning bushes illegal?
Can you rejuvenate a burning bush?
How do you maintain a burning bush?
Do burning bushes need to be cut back?
This can be a good time to make minor alterations and it comes without the risk of removing flower buds, as burning bushes are grown for their foliage. Always make sure to trim lightly, cut back branches to a node and cut at a 45 degree angle.
How do you prune a burning bush?
Rejuvenation is simply severely cutting back the plant so that it can grow all new growth. To do rejuvenation pruning on a burning bush, take either a sharp, clean pair of pruning shears or hedge clippers and cut the entire burning bush plant down all the way to about 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 cm.) from the ground.
When should you prune a burning bush?
Like every plant in your setup, the burning bush has specific times of the year that are best for pruning. Before any growth develops, you should consider pruning your burning bush in late winter or early spring. When pruning, gardeners usually have two goals: to either reshape or promote fresh growth development.
How do you know if a burning bush needs pruning?
There are several signs that indicate your burning bush needs pruning. One of the most obvious signs is overgrowth. If your burning bush has become too large for its space or is blocking views or walkways, it is time to prune. Another sign that pruning is needed is the presence of dead or diseased branches.