Q.Why Must I Trim My Mock Orange Bushes So Many Times Per Year?
I have four mock orange bushes and love the (short-lived) flowers. However, I find myself trimming them THREE times per year. That’s a lot of work for such short-lived reward. Why must I trim my mock orange bushes so many times per year? (1) I wait to trim them in the spring until after they start to bloom. This is so I do not inadvertently cut off the blooms. (2) Several weeks after the flowers have faded, I have unsightly shoots a foot tall that must be cut–otherwise, they look extremely unkempt. (3) A few weeks after the second trimming, I must trim yet again for the same reasons listed for trimming #2.
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
They naturally have a vase shape. Here are pruning tips that may help. You should only have to prune once a year. If your mock orange is very gangly, it may be time for a rejuvenation pruning. Here is more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/mock-orange/mock-orange-pruning.htm
