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Philadelphus - deadhead or prune?

SweetPea2022SweetPea2022 Posts: 42
in Problem solving
After some heavy rain, my Philadelphus is looking a bit sad. I've only had it a couple of months. Would deadheading it make it flower more, or should I go ahead a prune it back now? Or just leave it and prune in July/Aug? Many thanks 

Posts

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I would prune it as soon as it has finished flowering.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited June 2022
    I wouldn't prune  such a young philadelphus ... remove the spent flowers if they displease you, but my personal view is that there's no need for formative pruning on such a young shrub.  It's only just been planted ... it should be allowed to use it's energy establishing a good root system, rather than having to replace it's top growth   :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I wouldn't prune such a small young shrub either, unless there's a diseased branch or crossing branches that would rub against each other if left. If the brown dead flowers don't fall of their own accord and you don't like the look of them, you can gently pull them off.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    edited June 2022
    If you prune, side shoots will develop lower down and they will provide next years flowers.
    I agree it is a young plant, so my pruning would be fairly gentle for the first couple of years.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • SweetPea2022SweetPea2022 Posts: 42
    Thank you all, very helpful! 
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