How to Prune Scarlet Globemallow?

(Sphaeralcea coccinea)

Scarlet Globemallow, also known as Orange Globemallow, Copper Mallow

This drought-tolerant perennial, recognized by its cup-shaped, orange-red blossoms, thrives in arid climates. To maintain scarlet Globemallow's vigour, prune back dead stems in early spring and pinch out tips during the growing season to promote bushier growth. After flowering, trim off old flower stalks to encourage a second bloom. Optimal pruning periods are spring, after the last frost, throughout summer, and in early fall. Regular pruning prevents legginess and revitalizes scarlet Globemallow, enhancing blooming and overall health.

What Are the Benefits of Pruning Scarlet Globemallow?

Pruning scarlet Globemallow encourages vigorous growth and helps maintain its desired shape, focusing the plant’s energy on producing robust stems and vibrant blooms.

What Is the Best Time for Pruning Scarlet Globemallow?

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Pruning scarlet Globemallow is advised in Spring or Fall to align with its growth cycle and to avoid impairing its health. In Spring, after the last frost, pruning promotes fresh growth and helps maintain the plant's desired shape. It's also a time when scarlet Globemallow recovers quickly and can heal from pruning wounds before the onset of harsher weather. Fall is another suitable period as it prepares scarlet Globemallow for dormancy, removing any dead or diseased material that could harbor pests or diseases over the winter. Summer is not ideal for pruning scarlet Globemallow, as it is the peak growing and flowering season, the plant is often stressed due to heat, and cutting at this time could lead to reduced flowering and weakened defense against environmental stressors.

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 Scarlet Globemallow?

Bypass Pruners

Ideal for making clean cuts on the green and live stems of scarlet Globemallow, bypass pruners cause less damage to plant tissues, which promotes quicker healing. Scarlet Globemallow doesn't typically have very thick or woody stems, so a sturdy pair of bypass pruners should suffice for most maintenance pruning tasks.

Gardening Gloves

Protecting your hands is important when pruning scarlet Globemallow. Gloves will prevent any potential irritation from the plant's sap and protect from thorns if present.

Pruning Saw

For the removal of any older or woody stems that bypass pruners cannot handle, a pruning saw can be useful. Small, handheld pruning saws are sufficient for scarlet Globemallow, as they likely won't have very large branches to remove.

Garden Scissors or Snips

For thinning and shaping tasks or for deadheading spent flowers on scarlet Globemallow, garden scissors or snips can be used for their precision and ease of handling, allowing for minimal disturbance to the surrounding plant growth.

How to Prune Scarlet Globemallow

Clean tools

Before starting, sterilize pruning shears and other tools with isopropyl alcohol or a 10% bleach solution to prevent the spread of disease.

Remove diseased leaves

Identify and carefully remove any diseased leaves from scarlet Globemallow by cutting them off at their base, making sure to avoid healthy tissue to prevent the spread of pathogens.

Trim withered leaves

Trim off withered or dead leaves from scarlet Globemallow to maintain aesthetic appeal and support healthy growth. Cut these leaves back to their base or to the next healthy set of leaves.

Cut dead branches

Prune dead branches by cutting them at the point where they meet healthy wood. If the entire branch is dead, cut it back to the base without harming the main stem.

Prune diseased branches

Carefully cut away any diseased branches on scarlet Globemallow, making cuts well below the affected area to ensure complete removal. Dispose of the diseased material properly to avoid contaminating the compost or garden area.

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 Scarlet Globemallow

Overpruning

Overpruning scarlet Globemallow can cause stress and reduce the plant's ability to thrive. Removing too much foliage at once can limit its photosynthesis capacity and energy production.

Neglecting deadheading

Failing to remove dead flowers from scarlet Globemallow can prevent the plant from producing new blooms, as it may focus energy on developing seeds instead.

Improper cutting technique

Using dull or dirty tools can damage the stems of scarlet Globemallow, leading to jagged cuts that may invite pests and diseases.

Pruning too close to the main stem

Cutting too close to the main stem or nodes can harm scarlet Globemallow, because it may not leave enough room for new growth, or worse, it could lead to disease entry points.

Ignoring plant form

Neglecting the natural shape of scarlet Globemallow during pruning can result in an unsightly growth habit and affect the overall health of the plant.

Common Pruning Tips for Scarlet Globemallow

Clean equipment

Use sharp, clean pruning shears to ensure clean cuts on scarlet Globemallow, which helps promote faster healing and reduces the risk of disease transmission.

Strategic thinning

Thin out crowded stems to improve air circulation and light penetration, which can benefit the overall health and blooming of scarlet Globemallow.

Deadheading

Regularly remove spent flowers from scarlet Globemallow to encourage more blooms and prevent the plant from putting energy into seed production.

Maintaining natural shape

When pruning scarlet Globemallow, try to maintain its natural growth habit for aesthetic purposes and to support the plant's health.

Gradual approach

Prune scarlet Globemallow gradually over time, especially if rejuvenation or size reduction is needed, to minimize stress and give the plant time to recover.