Pfeiffenstrauch ∗ The 10 best care and planting tips

Plant the pipe bush properly

Plant one Pipe bush in autumn in a sunny to partially shaded spot. While you do the Garden soil weeding and loosening, the still potted root ball is soaked in a bucket with water. So that the powerful heart root system can spread unhindered, the planting pit should have twice the volume of the root ball. How to proceed:

• Enrich the excavation with bark humus, compost, Horn shavings(€ 32.93 at Amazon *) or horse manure
• Pot the plant, insert it in the center, surround it with soil, press it down and water it
• Spread a layer of mulch with leaves, grass clippings or bark mulch

Make sure that the previous planting depth is retained as far as possible. Finally, shorten the shoots by a third to support lush branching.

Care tips

The uncomplicated care program poses no hurdles even for beginners among hobby gardeners. How to do it right:

• Water regularly in the year of planting, later only in summer drought
• A start fertilization with compost gets the growth going in March
• Slight topiary immediately after flowering
• Rejuvenation pruning preferably in autumn and winter, during the deciduous season

A light winter protection is advisable in the year of planting, as the frost resistance only builds up over time. To do this, spread a thick layer of autumn leaves on the root disc before the first frost, which is fixed with fir fronds.
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Which location is suitable?

The frugal, unpretentiousness finds expression not least in the broad location amplitude. The pipe bush thrives tirelessly in all sunny to partially shaded locations with normal garden soil. Ideally, the soil is humic, nutrient-rich, fresh and, above all, well-drained. Where these ideal conditions do not exist, soil additives provide a balance. Too dry, poor soil is optimized with compost, bark humus or horse manure. Loosen up clayey soil with a tendency to compaction Quartz sand,(€ 14.90 at Amazon *) fine grit or Lava granules.(€ 14.00 at Amazon *) We only strongly advise against a location with the threat of waterlogging for the cultivation of farmer's jasmine.
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When is the flowering time?

The diverse genus of pipe bushes gives us species and varieties that bloom at different times. If you can't get enough of the breathtaking abundance of flowers and the seductive scent, combine the hybrids and species in a tactically clever way for an extra long flowering period. The following suggestions may serve as your inspiration:

• Farmer's jasmine: flowering from May to June
• Filled garden jasmine: flowering period from late May to mid-June
• False jasmine girandole or lady blanche: flowering from June to July

Even though a pipe shrub per se does not have the potential for re-blooming, the efforts are sometimes rewarded. Immediately after the first flower head, cut out all the dead flowers and put a little compost on the root disc.
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Cut the pipe bush correctly

Although the flowering period extends into summer, the pipe bush is not treated as a summer flowering plant in terms of topiary. In fact, the wood blooms like a spring bloomer on the wood of the previous year. A cut in early spring thus deprives the plant of its already established buds. As a result, shorten shoots that are too long at the end of the flowering period.

For a comprehensive rejuvenation cut, on the other hand, choose a frost-free day in late winter by cutting off all branches to a height of 30 cm. Although this measure takes place at the expense of this year's flowering, it is rewarded with a vital and lush new shoot. Thanks to this prudence, you reduce the stress for a pipe bush to a minimum during the leaf-free period. On this occasion, the wood is also thoroughly thinned out by removing dead wood, poor, sick and frozen branches at the base. Every 2 to 3 years you cut out old wood completely. This can be recognized by the darker and cracked bark.
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Water the pipe bush

While freshly planted pipe bushes require a regular water supply, the need for watering decreases with age. In the first few months, keep the soil constantly moist without waterlogging. This is especially true after a spring planting. In later years, you should always water the flowering shrub when the natural amount of rain is insufficient.

Fertilize the pipe bush properly

Starting fertilization in March stimulates growth and the willingness to flower. Pamper your pipe bush with a portion of compost and horn shavings, nettle manure, horse manure or guano granulate. Since the ornamental wood is naturally vigorous, it takes care of itself for the rest of the season through its strong root system.

Overwinter

An adult pipe bush is completely hardy and can get through the cold season in good health without horticultural measures. Since the frost resistance builds up gradually on young plants, we recommend light winter protection in the year of planting. To do this, cover the root disc with a layer of grass clippings, autumn leaves or coniferous branches. The buds that have already been created are wrapped in jute ribbons or Garden fleece.

Propagate the pipe bush

For the pipe bush, the propagation of cuttings has proven to be excellent in practice. Offspring is so easy:

• In June, half-lignified head cuttings cut with a length of 10-15 cm
• Defoliate the lower area so that at least 1 pair of leaves remains in the tip
• Fill small pots with poor substrate to insert two thirds of the cuttings
• Pour it on, put a transparent hood over it and let it take root in the partially shaded spot

Keep your pupils constantly moist and protect them from direct sunlight. A fresh shoot signals successful rooting. By autumn, more than 50 percent of the cuttings will have developed into vital young plants.
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Pipe bush in the pot

Due to its extensive heart-root system, a pipe bush rarely feels comfortable in a pot. This fact also applies to the mighty farmer's jasmine with a height of up to 300 cm as well as for the compact hybrids with a height of up to 150 cm. Even with an optimal supply of water and nutrients, a false jasmine in the tub usually falls far short of expectations in terms of growth and abundance of flowers.

Is pipe bush poisonous?

The poisonous content of pipe bushes is controversial among amateur gardeners. We wanted to know exactly and asked the botanists at the University of Bonn. So far, no investigation has been able to prove a toxic content, so that even a marginal toxicity cannot be spoken of. So you can also enjoy the magnificent ornamental trees in the family garden.
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Trivia

The pipe bush got its unusual name because its branches can be transformed into a children's instrument in just a few simple steps. The pulp can be easily removed from the shoots. Drilled small holes in it with a needle, and the small pipe is ready.

Nice varieties

• Farmer's jasmine: Majestic pipe shrub, up to 300 cm in height and creamy white, fragrant flowers
• Virginal: Premium variety with double, snow-white flowers in spring with simple second-flowering in autumn
• Belle Etoile: Compact, 100 cm high pipe shrub whose white flowers are pink eye adorns
• Dame Blanche: charming flowering shrub for the scented garden with half-double flowers; ideal as a vase jewelry
• Erectus: Elegant pipe bush that attracts crowds of butterflies with its seductive scent and white flowers