When, how much and why? (Snow heather)

The pruning promotes compact growth

Without regular pruning, the snow heather reaches a maximum height of about 30 cm. However, the perennial plants get a rather gnarled appearance over the years and can bald from below. Often they should be in groups planted specimens of the winter heather, however, form a carpet that is as regular as possible with delicate flowers. To do this, it is essential to prune the plants every two years (or better, annually). In addition, plants that have grown compactly can be less damaged by a heavy blanket of snow.

It is essential to pay attention to the right time

When pruning the winter heather you should definitely pay attention to the right time and not the plants with the similar looking varieties of Heather confound. So that the snow heather in your garden is also lush in the following year bloom numerous flower buds have to be formed as early as autumn. However, this is only the case if a relatively strong pruning is carried out immediately after flowering in spring, which also stimulates the growth of young plant shoots. Of course, this does not apply if the winter heather is only in the same place

Planted in spring and still has to be properly rooted in the ground.

Prevent bald spots from developing with targeted cuts

The winter heather is one of the semi-shrubs that can tend to shed from the center of the plant without rejuvenating pruning. It is therefore important that regular pruning gives young shoots the chance of sufficient light and healthy growth. Also economical Fertilizers alone cannot counteract the risk of balding if the snow heather is not pruned. The following things should be considered when pruning:

• use clean cutting tools with sharp edges
• don't cut too much into the old wood
• shorten the plants by about a third