How to Prune Bush clover?

(Lespedeza thunbergii)

Bush clover, also known as Bush clover

Known for its arching growth and late blooming flowers, bush clover thrives with post-bloom pruning. Cut back in late winter or early spring before onset of new growth. This timing promotes vigorous blooms and manages shape. Remove dead wood and thin out crowded branches. Pruning ensures rejuvenation and may enhance flowering by focusing the plant's energy on fewer, healthier stems. Refrain from late-season pruning to avoid disrupting bud formation for the next season's display.

What Are the Benefits of Pruning Bush Clover?

Pruning bush clover encourages vigorous growth and helps maintain its desired shape. Proper cutting back stimulates new shoots, leading to denser foliage and a more attractive form.

What Is the Best Time for Pruning Bush Clover?

Spring

Winter

The best time to prune bush clover is during late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Pruning in late winter, when the plant is still dormant, helps prevent disease transmission and reduces stress on bush clover. It allows for the removal of any damaged or diseased wood before the plant begins to actively grow, ensuring better wound healing. Early spring pruning, just before or as the new growth emerges, helps stimulate new growth, which results in a more compact, bushier plant. This timing aligns with the natural growth cycle of bush clover, which flowers on new wood. Thus, pruning at this stage ensures that flowering is not affected and can even result in more abundant blooms during the growing season.

Identify plants and enhance your pruning skills

Want your plants to thrive? Check out expert tips on pruning timing, techniques, and care to confidently tackle any gardening challenge!

Download the App for Free

What Tools Do I Need to Prune Bush Clover?

Bypass Pruners

Ideal for making clean cuts on the thin, flexible stems of bush clover, which allows for healthy regrowth without damaging the plant tissue.

Loppers

These provide longer handles to reach into the dense growth of bush clover and exert greater leverage for cutting thicker stems that bypass pruners cannot handle.

Pruning Saw

Necessary for cutting any mature or woody stems that may have developed, which are too thick for loppers and bypass pruners.

Gloves

Protects hands when handling bush clover, including sharp stems and to maintain personal safety while using pruning tools.

Hand Rake or Garden Fork

Useful to gently remove any debris or dead material from the base of bush clover after pruning, which promotes proper air circulation and reduces disease risk.

How to Prune Bush Clover

Clean tools

Prepare clean and sharp pruning shears or scissors to prevent the spread of disease during the cutting process.

Inspect

Examine bush clover carefully to locate diseased leaves, withered leaves, dead branches, and diseased branches that need to be removed.

Remove leaves

Prune the diseased and withered leaves from bush clover by cutting them off at the base of the leaf stem, taking care not to damage new buds or stems.

Cut branches

Saw or clip off dead and diseased branches from bush clover as close to the trunk or main branch as possible without damaging the branch collar.

Disinfect

After each cut, especially when removing diseased parts, sterilize the pruning tools with a solution of bleach or alcohol to prevent contamination to healthy parts of bush clover.

Discover your plant's ideal water intake

Use our calculator to find out how much water your plants need for optimal health.

Download the App for Free

Common Pruning Mistakes with Bush Clover

Over-pruning

Removing too much of bush clover at once can stress the plant, reducing its vigour and flowering potential.

Topping

Cutting bush clover across the top without considering the natural shape of the plant often leads to a less aesthetically pleasing form and may hinder proper branching.

Blunt Tools

Using dull pruning tools can damage the stems of bush clover, leading to ragged cuts that are more susceptible to disease and pests.

Pruning into Old Wood

Cutting back bush clover into old, non-productive wood may result in poor regrowth, as this species typically flowers on new growth.

Neglecting Sanitation

Failing to remove or dispose of pruned material can invite pests and diseases, negatively affecting bush clover health.

Ignoring Plant Form

Not considering the natural arching habit of bush clover while pruning may result in an unnatural appearance and may reduce flowering.

Common Pruning Tips for Bush Clover

Sharp Tools

Always use clean, sharp pruning shears or loppers to make clean cuts on bush clover, which helps the plant heal faster and reduces disease risk.

Selective Pruning

Focus on thinning out crowded areas to allow light and air circulation, which encourages healthy growth and reduces the risk of fungal diseases in bush clover.

Follow Natural Shape

Prune bush clover in a way that maintains its natural arching form, enhancing its ornamental value and promoting a good branching structure.

Promote New Growth

Cut back the previous year's growth to a set of strong buds to stimulate the vigorous new growth that bush clover requires for optimal flowering.

Clean Up

After pruning, remove all dead or diseased branches from the area to prevent pests and diseases on bush clover.

Gradual Reduction

If reducing the size of bush clover, do it gradually over a few seasons to avoid shocking the plant and to maintain its health and flowering capabilities.