Prune Scotch broom right after the pea flowers fade. Shorten the green shoots that bloomed, and stop before you cut into old brown wood.
Prune after the flowers fade, and do not cut into old wood
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Right after the spring bloom fades | Do not clip in fall or winter, or you will cut next year's flower buds |
| What to cut | The green shoots that just flowered | Do not cut into old, thick brown wood that has no green |
| How much | A light clip; at most about a quarter of the foliage in one year | Do not renovate the shrub to stumps |
| Pods | Pull or clip off seed pods if you do not want seedlings | Do not leave pods to pop if the species is listed where you garden |
When the pea flowers finish, shorten the shoots that just bloomed. Stop before you cut into old, brown wood that has no green. Old wood does not resprout well, and a hard cut into it leaves a dead stub. [1] [2]
- Wait until the spring bloom has faded, then cut back the flowered lengths of each green shoot.
- Leave a short run of this year’s green growth. Do not cut back to thick brown wood. [3]
- Pull or clip off seed pods if you do not want the shrub to sow itself. Pods pop and throw seed several feet.
- Take out a dead or broken stem any time of year.
When do I prune Scotch broom?
Right after the flowers fade. Cut the flowered green shoots, and stop before you hit old brown wood.
Can I cut Scotch broom to the ground?
No. Old brown wood does not resprout well. A hard cut into it can leave a dead shrub.
Start while the shrub is young, and take off only a little
Begin the after-bloom clip while the shrub is still young, so the mound stays even. Once the stems are thick and brown, a hard reshape will not fill. Never take more than about a quarter of the foliage in one year; if the shrub is overgrown, spread the work over a few seasons. [4] Moonlight and Warminster broom take that same light clip. Site the shrub in full sun on poor soil that drains on How to Grow Scotch Broom.
Do I prune Warminster broom the same way?
Yes. Clip the flowered green shoots after bloom, and leave the old wood. The mound is only smaller.
After you clip, leave the old brown wood. A hard cut into it will not sprout.
FAQ
Can I prune in fall?
No. A fall or winter clip cuts the buds for next spring. Wait until this year's flowers fade.
Should I compost the clippings?
Do not compost seed pods if Cytisus scoparius is a noxious weed where you garden. Bag pods with household trash.
Can I shear it like a hedge?
No. Use hand pruners on the flowered green shoots. A sheared face into old wood will not leaf out.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Gardening Know How -
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/broom-plants/scotch-broom-pruning.htm - [2] BBC Gardeners' World -
https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-and-care-for-a-broom-plant/ - [3] JC Raulston Arboretum -
https://jcra.ncsu.edu/horticulture/plant-profiles/details.php?ID=70 - [4] NC State Extension Gardener -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cytisus-x-praecox/
This note is part of Cytisus Guides.
More pruning timing notes by plant live in Pruning Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors