How to cut the hibiscus

The flowering hibiscus has become an integral part of the garden. In order for it to remain so floriferous, it must be pruned regularly. But when? And how?

The hibiscus (Hibiscus) is a flowering tree that is very popular with gardeners because of its flowers. After all, they not only bloom in a wide variety of colors, they also shine really intensely. And that from July until well into October.

But the best thing is that the hibiscus can not only be kept as a houseplant. You can also plant it as a privacy screen or hedge or raise it as a standard. However, in order for the plant to bloom every year, you have to cut back the hibiscus regularly. Even if it is difficult, the successes that you achieve with it are impressive. So don't be afraid to use the secateurs. Before you do that, however, you need to know which cut you want to make, because a distinction is made between training cut, maintenance cut and rejuvenation cut. In addition, the hibiscus can also be raised to a standard by pruning.

Overview of editing time and variants

Before you use the scissors, it is important to clarify when the right time to cut back is. In principle, you are always on the right track here if you start the scissors in spring, preferably in March, because then the danger of night frosts is over. Please do not cut in autumn, otherwise the cold temperatures could kill the plant.

➔ Parenting Cut

With this pruning you must remove all diseased, weak and dead shoots. Shorten the branches down to the last two buds. In this way, the power is directed to the stronger branches. Do this every year and you will soon be rewarded with a beautiful crown.

➔ Preservation cut

If the hibiscus has gotten a nice crown over time, you only have to preserve it, i.e. carry out the so-called maintenance cut. You can then have a great influence on the growth habit. Remove old, diseased and withered branches and cut back branches that have become too large and weak.

Sometimes it canit can happen that the hibiscus grows somewhat irregularly or one-sidedly. Then it is advisable to remove the unwanted shoots at the base.

➔ Taper Cut

If the hibiscus has grown too big over the years, a pruning can help. To do this, first remove all outdated and dead shoots. Then you have to shorten the remaining shoots by about two thirds.

➔ Raise hibiscus to a high stem

If you would like to train the hibiscus to a standard, then you should know beforehand that this is a multi-year process. If you have patience, then do the following:

Shorten the lateral branches to two to three buds immediately after planting the hibiscus. You can completely ignore the main stem. In subsequent years, you will need to trim all side branches down to one bud from the beginning of February. You have to shorten the leading drive to six eyes.

If the hibiscus has reached the desired height over the years, cut back the strongest branches to a few buds. Then shorten the trunk to the desired height and remove all lateral shoots around the bottom.