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pruning

pruning

Comment from Shoot User
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I have a lantana camara which is now 2 years old, (picture attached). I would like to know the best time and method of pruning. I am seeing conflicting ideas on Google searches, where some people say prune them in Autumn, and others are saying prune them after Winter. When is the best time please?

Also, my Lantana stems are about 12 - 18 inches long, and was wondering how far down I should prune them to, some people say about 6 inches, while others say down to the roots, and some say let them grow naturally. What I want is the optimum pruning that will increase the length and thickness of the plant.

Many thanks.
https://d30qmn300ic0sk.cloudfront.net/assets/users/user_51125/forum_12896_219_20120919122404.jpg
Posted: Wednesday 19th of September 2012 11:24 AM

  • Re: pruning

    Kathy N
    Hi, ssb,
    Not surprising you are getting conflicting advice. Given Lantana's tender nature, some treat it as an annual or a short-lived shrub. In milder climates, it is treated as a shrub. Depending on how you treat it, and somewhat depending upon where you live will dictate what you do. As a general rule, it is best to prune in mid-spring before new growth resumes. Also as a general rule, Lantana likes little pruning. Having said that, I have been brutal in the past and cut it straight back in autumn (I live in Southern California where winters are very mild so I can get away with that) and it sent out new shoots in spring nicely. Lantana is used along freeways, etc, here and get very little pruning until they are mercilessly hacked back when they get overgrown. They are tough plants as long as they don't get hit by frost /frozen temps. Given all this, my advice to you is to minimally prune in mid-spring, removing unsightly or misplaced shoots, perhaps removing no more than 1/3 of the branches if you want to promote bushier growth.
    Kathy C
    Replied: Thursday 20th of September 2012 05:41 PM

    • Re: Re: pruning

      Shoot User
      Hello Kathy,

      Thanks again :)

      I live in Warwickshire in Central England, and our winters are sometimes cold and frosty and sometimes mild and wet. I keep my plant in the greenhouse over winter, with bubble wrap around its plant pot, and a frost protector over the leaves, and it seemed to have survived last winter, and new growth appeared in spring. I will prune it when the temperature is milder in mid-spring, about a third, so should get nice bushy thick growth.

      Your advice is appreciated.

      Thanks, Suky B.
      Replied: Friday 21st of September 2012 07:58 AM

      • Re: Re: Re: pruning

        Kathy N
        Hi, Suky,
        Sounds like the right thing to do based on where you live - I used to live & garden in Northampton as well as in London. Might be able to get away with leaving Lantana outside in a walled, south-facing London garden, but not in Northamptonshire or Warwickshire. Especially after the last two winters!
        All the best,
        Kathy
        Replied: Monday 24th of September 2012 09:12 PM
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