With so many fantastic native plants on the market, I’m sure most people would have at least one Grevillea, Banksia or Callistemon in their garden. Trimming Natives or Native plant species is easy but the pruning rule of thumb should always be followed. The biggest mistake you can make is going hard at it with a chainsaw. Always leave at least some foliage for the plant to photosynthesis, ensuring its recovery as hard pruning can lead to death.
Over time Native Plant Species can become scraggy and require trimming. The best time to do this is in the warmer months, but should yours need extreme pruning for what ever reason, then during summer is the time. It’s important to remember, to ensure you don’t shock the plant, only take 1/3 at any time. Wait for it to show signs of recover then you can take a further 1/3 and so on until you have reached your desired size. Remember to give it a good watering afterwards and some native food & decomposing mulch for ongoing support. With any shrub, trimming as it establishes ensures a healthy plant with good structure and you maintain it’s size at the same time making things easy.
TIP: If time allows consider the flower cycle and the birds dependent on the nectar. Pruning definitely encourages new growth and therefore increases flowering, but native bird species become very dependent on the food supply, so your timing is important.
Need Some Guidance With Your Native Plant Species?
Speak With A Professional Landscape Designer.
