As a gardening and landscaping expert, I can certainly help you with your question about keeping flowering quince small. Flowering quince, also known as Chaenomeles, is a beautiful spring flowering shrub that can sometimes grow quite large if left unpruned. However, with proper pruning techniques, you can control its size and shape to ensure it fits well in your garden and does not become overwhelming.
The best time to prune flowering quince is soon after it has finished blooming. This is typically in late spring or early summer. By pruning at this time, you allow the shrub to set buds for next year’s blooms while still giving it enough time to recover before winter arrives.
When pruning, it is important to top prune the plant to improve its shape and reduce its size. Start by removing any dead or damaged branches, as well as any crossing or rubbing branches. This will help improve the overall health and appearance of the shrub.
To reduce the size of flowering quince, you can selectively prune back the longest branches. Aim to remove no more than 30% of the top growth to avoid causing stress to the plant. By selectively pruning the longest branches, you can help maintain a more compact and manageable size.
It is also worth noting that some summer pruning can be done on particularly vigorous plants. This can help keep the shrub in check and prevent it from becoming too unruly. However, it is important to avoid pruning after mid-July, as this can potentially remove next year’s flower buds.
In my personal experience, I have found that regular pruning of flowering quince has helped to keep it at a manageable size in my garden. By pruning soon after flowering and selectively removing the longest branches, I have been able to maintain a more compact and tidy appearance.
Yes, it is possible to keep flowering quince small through proper pruning techniques. Prune the shrub soon after it has finished blooming, removing dead or damaged branches and selectively reducing the length of the longest branches. Remember to avoid removing more than 30% of the top growth and to refrain from pruning after mid-July to ensure the shrub can set buds for next year’s blooms. With regular pruning, you can enjoy the beauty of flowering quince in a more manageable size in your garden.
