Pruning Exochorda x macrantha - The Bride. How and when to prune this shrub.

Also known as The bride, or The Pearl Bush Exochorda x macrantha The Bride.

The pure white flowers of this shrub give rise to the name - The Bride - or the Pearl Bush. (The opening flower buds resemble groups of pearls>

Exochorda x macrantha The Bride, is an early summer flowering shrub that needs pruning at the correct time. How and when to prune it is detailed below.

Take note of our information and advice on how to prune the Exochorda and avoid the disappointment sometimes experienced with this plant.

Exochorda THE BRIDE should not be confused with The Bridal Wreath Shrub - which is Spiraea arguta! (One of the problems with confusion amongst common names of plants!)

When to prune Exochorda x macrantha The Bride.

Exochorda x macrantha The Bride, is a spring or early summer flowering shrub, with arching branches of purest white flowers.

The secret of this shrub, is that you carry out the pruning at the right time - right after flowering. If you prune it too late it will not have time to make it's flowering stems for the next year. If you prune it in the spring or at any time before its summer flowering period, you will simply be cutting off it's flower buds, and it will not make any flower growths that will flower the same year. Remember, flowers grow on the stems made the previous year!

It flowers on stems which are made in the mid to late summer. It will not flower on new stems if you prune it early in the spring.

For success, you will need to prune The Bride immediately after it has finished flowering, and certainly before the summer sets in. This prompt pruning action will enable the shrub to grow long arching stems throughout the summer growing season which will then provide huge trusses of white flowers the following spring.

How to Prune Exochorda The Bride.

Prune the finished flowering stems back to half their length to build up a fantastic network of arching stems. Do this pruning right after flowering like outlined, and don't be afraid of pruning right back into the shrub. Every branch that has borne flowers should be pruned this way.

Together with this, prune out around one third of the older stems/branches - right down to within a few cm (ins) form the ground. New shoots will sprout forth after this basal pruning, and form a framework of healthy new branches for flowering in later years. Prune further old stems out in each year.

After a few years of this basal pruning - in conjunction with the pruning as outlined above, you will end up with a vigorous shrub - full of new growth, just waiting to smother itself with masses of white flowers. Don't forget when to prune. Do it right after flowering.

Varieties of Exochorda to prune in this manner.

Exochorda giraldii; Exochorda x macrantha The Bride; Exochorda racemosa.

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