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Re: BEAUTY BUSH

Well, I probably don't do it "properly", but I tend to give mine a bit of a
haircut when bloom comes on because it wants to put up lots of new growth
just then which rises above the mound of bloom and get on my nerves.  I
think the new stems sticking out all over look straggly above the almost
solid mound of bloom, so I just cut them back to the main mound shape.  I
may go back in after bloom and remove them entirely or not ...depends on
what they do and how busy I am and all that...basically, whether they get
on my nerves :-)

I've found that more major shaping is best done by going into the plant and
taking out old stems almost to the ground or the main stem(s) because if
you just head back a stem, it will sprout new branches on each side of the
cut (if there are 2 buds there) so they come out in a 'Y' shape...or if
only one bud sprouts, it may grow perpendicular to the original branch....a
habit I don't find very graceful :-)

It blooms on old wood, so the best time to do surgery is right after bloom.
 Dirr says one should prune out older stems every year or simply cut it to
the ground after flowering.   I couldn't bear to cut mine to the ground
every year, but if garden space is at a premium, guess that's one way of
doing it.  Should think it would reduce bloom considerably.  I have not
followed his recommendations and did not find mine had reduced bloom or
leggy shape.  Your mileage may differ.

Of course, dead wood can be (and should be) removed anytime back to healthy
wood.  Other than removal of deadwood, I don't think the shrub actually
*requires* pruning as far as it is concerned.  It does as far as *I* am
concerned....but that's only in my garden.  I think you just have to
determine what kind of form you want it to have.  It's naturally fairly
congested and twiggy with an overall fountain kind of effect -- at least
mine is.

My shrub is nearly 20 years old.  Thought I'd lost it a few years ago as it
started to die back from some disease I never identified...some kind of
wilt.  it was making a mound about 8' in diameter then.  I just cut it back
to the ground and left digging it out until later and Lo!  It came
back....started to resprout and is now about 5' tall and around and seems
healthy as can be.  Needless to say, I'm delighted as I am quite fond of
that shrub. It is absolutely magnificent when in bloom.  

As a minor note:  Mine grows and blooms well in partial shade, although
it's supposed to need full sun....for any of you without full sun who would
like to try this plant.  This may not work as well if you garden in a
northerly clime.

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
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----------
> From: Carol Cramer <cramer@pld.com>
> Date: Thursday, February 12, 1998 7:15 PM
> 
> Kolkwitzia:  have a nice mature shrub in zone 5.  when is the best time
> to prune -- and how to prune:  severe?.....  only clean out old wood
> from center of plant? ....  or overall pruning?
> 
> should it be pruned every season?

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