Honey bush looks better cut hard. In spring, as growth resumes, cut the stems back to about 3 inches. Flowers form on last year's wood, so that cut skips the maroon spikes for the season.
In spring, cut the stems back to about 3 inches
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Early spring, as new shoots show at the base | Do not cut the stems in fall; old foliage still shields the crown |
| Cut | All stems back to about 3 inches above the soil | Do not leave long, floppy stubs that flop in wind |
| Bloom | Leave a few old stems only if you want maroon spikes this year | Do not expect flowers on wood you just cut to the ground |
| Tools | Sharp, clean loppers; the stems are thick | Do not tear the crown with a dull blade |
honey bush is a sprawling, suckering shrub. It looks better treated as a perennial: cut the stems to about 3 inches just as growth resumes in spring, even if last year's wood survived the winter. [1] Maroon flower spikes form on wood from the previous year. A hard spring cut skips bloom for that season. Most gardeners cut anyway, because the plant is grown for the blue-grey leaves, not the spikes. [2] If frost has already blackened the top, wait until new shoots show, then cut the dead stems to the same short stubs. New foliage comes fast once the soil warms. [3] In a frost-free garden you can leave a woody framework, but the plant still stays neater if you cut it hard each spring. [4]
- Wait until early spring, when new shoots show at the base. Do not cut in fall; the old stems still shield the crown.
- Cut all stems back to about 3 inches above the soil. Use sharp loppers so you do not tear the crown.
- If you want maroon spikes this year, leave a few uncut stems from last season, and cut the rest.
- Clear the cut stems off the crown, then leave the mulch in place until the new leaves fill.
New leaves can be late. Do not recut in April just because the stubs still look bare.
When should I prune honey bush?
In spring, as new shoots show at the base. Cut the stems back to about 3 inches. Do not cut in fall.
In spring, as new shoots show, cut the stems back to about 3 inches. Leave a few old stems only if you want flowers.
FAQ
Should I leave some old stems if I want flowers?
Yes, if bloom matters more than a tight clump. Flowers form on last year's wood. Leave a few uncut stems, and cut the rest for fresh leaves.
Should I deadhead?
You do not have to. Spent spikes turn into papery pods. Clip them only if you want a tidier clump, or if you do not want seedlings.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] University of Wisconsin Horticulture -
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/honeybush-melianthus-major/ - [2] University of Arkansas Extension -
https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/honeybush.aspx - [3] PlantZAfrica -
https://pza.sanbi.org/melianthus-major - [4] San Marcos Growers -
https://smgrowers.com/info/Melianthus.asp
This note is part of Melianthus Guides.
More pruning timing notes by plant live in Pruning Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors