Can you trim indian hawthorn

They rarely need pruning you you select the right variety and plant it in the right spot. Indian hawthorn naturally grows as a compact, dense shrub. In the shade it will be less dense and may require more pruning. Dead, diseased or damaged branches should be cut off whenever you see them, but other than that, pruning will be necessary only if the plant grows too large for the space in which it was planted or when you want to prune it to a particular shape.

An Indian hawthorn can be kept within bounds for a number of years by pinching back the tips of branches after the plant flowers. Pinching soft new growth back to one-half its length will promote branching, making the shrub denser, and limit the size of the plant. Although it is called pinching, you can cut the new growth with scissors or garden clippers. As the roots are eaten , the plant grows weaker.

Once an Indian hawthorn contracts nematodes, there are few treatment options, thus prevention is key. Adding organic material to the soil also lowers the chances of nematodes. Indian hawthorn can be pruned to form a small hedge, mounding plant or other shape. All pruning should be done with a hand held clippers as using shears will damage the leaves and the result will be unattractive. Regular pruning will be necessary to maintain the desired shape.

How do you prune an Indian hawthorn bush? Remove one of the branches, or make a heading cut low enough that the stems won't rub. It is important to know when to cut Indian hawthorn to avoid losing next year's flowers. The plant starts forming next year's flower buds soon after the flowers fade, and if you wait too long you'll remove the buds as you prune.

How fast does Indian hawthorn grow? The rate of growth varies by each species of hawthorn and certain growing conditions may also have an effect on the growth rate of these trees and shrubs.

Growth rates are often listed as slow, 12 inches or less per year; medium, 12 to 24 inches per year; or fast, 25 inches or more per year. What is the best fertilizer for Indian hawthorn? The tree flowers in the spring, so it should be fed with a complete fertilizer, such as a product with a nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium blend of , or Fertilize the shrub once a year—in spring, after the last hard frost has passed and the soil is workable.

When should you trim a hedge? Formative pruning is usually carried out in winter or early spring. Leaving some room between the cut and the originating branch encourages rapid healing of the pruning wound. Look for new growth in late spring that is growing outside of the desired shape. New growth is often a lighter green color and softer than old growth. Tip-prune this growth to neaten the overall shape of the Indian hawthorn. Susan Patterson is a health and gardening advocate. Her passions include sustainable living, organic foods and functional fitness.

Rate It 2. Login to write a comment. Click Here. This would be called a rejuvenation pruning and is normally done in late winter or early spring before any new growth appears. Pruning to shape is normally done after flowering but if you don't care about the flowering this year you can do a rejuvenation pruning now. If you live in a warm climate your shrubs may have already bloomed as mine have.

I live in a private community that keeps their Indian Hawthorn hedges pruned to shape every couple of months. This creates hedges that are most likely like yours that have very little top and side growth. When pruned they look horrible for awhile until the bare areas fill in again. Four years ago I rejuvenated the Indian Hawthorns at my home by cutting them back to approximately 14 inches of the ground.