Pruning a Spirea

by Elizabeth
(Napanee)

When is the best time to trim a bridal wreath spirea?
Ours are @ 5 feet tall and quite wide.
They are right beside our veranda railing.
We are a preschool and want to keep them trimmed to keep them from coming through the railing and tempting the children.

Elizabeth

Doug says you want to "not tempt" the children with Bridalwreath - like as in not tempt them to get brides/married? :-)

Pruning this plant? This spirea blooms on old wood so the best time to prune for minor pruning and shaping with blooms for the following year is right after it blooms.

If you're pruning for a major renovation (like really whacking it back) then early spring or late fall is the best time - when it is dormant and you don't expect blooms the following year.