How to Trim a Gardenia Shrub

Gardenias typically flower in late winter or early spring, though some late varieties may flower in late spring or early summer. Trimming out the old wood improves flowering the following year while making the bush look better. The proper pruning time depends on when the gardenia flowers, since it's best to prune after flowering. Pruning too early cuts away the flower buds and results in less flowers during the current season. The bushes tolerate severe pruning which allows you to improve the appearance of even the most overgrown bush.

Pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Remove up to half of the oldest stems. Cut them off where they emerge from the main trunk of the shrub.
- 2
  Trim back the remaining older stems by up to half their height, depending on the desired size and shape of the shrub after pruning. Make the pruning cuts within ¼ inch of a stem branch or leaf node, to encourage branching at the pruning scar.
- 3
  Prune back the remaining young branches to the desired length, cutting them back by no more than half their height. Make the cuts near a branch or node as you did with the older branches.
- 4
  Inspect the gardenia for any dead or broken branches. Cut these out completely, removing them near a branch or node on healthy wood, or cutting them back to the main trunk depending on the severity of the damage.

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