CSLB C-27 Landscaping ContractorPlanting and LandscapingMedium
A landscape maintenance crew is tasked with pruning a large, overgrown Ceanothus 'Concha' shrub. The client wants to reduce its size significantly while maintaining its natural form and ensuring future blooms. What is the most appropriate pruning strategy for this plant?
- AUtilizing selective thinning cuts to remove the oldest, thickest stems and crossing branches after flowering.
- BPerforming a rejuvenation prune by cutting all stems back to 6-12 inches from the ground in late winter.
- CHard shearing the entire plant back by 50% immediately after flowering.
- DContinuously heading back new growth throughout the growing season to maintain a compact shape.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Utilizing selective thinning cuts to remove the oldest, thickest stems and crossing branches after flowering.
Ceanothus 'Concha' is an evergreen shrub that typically blooms on old wood and does not respond well to hard shearing or rejuvenation pruning. Selective thinning cuts after flowering remove old, unproductive growth, improve air circulation, reduce size, and encourage new growth without sacrificing the plant's natural form or future blooms.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Rejuvenation pruning is generally too drastic for Ceanothus and can kill the plant or result in very weak, leggy regrowth.
- C. Hard shearing can severely damage Ceanothus, leading to poor regrowth or even plant death, and destroys the natural form.
- D. Continuously heading back new growth can lead to an unnatural, dense outer shell and leggy interior, and may remove future flower buds.
Pruning Ceanothus
Pruning techniques specific to Ceanothus species, which generally prefer light selective thinning after flowering rather than hard shearing or rejuvenation to maintain health and bloom production.
- Many Ceanothus bloom on old wood.
- Sensitive to heavy pruning, especially into old, leafless wood.
- Best pruned with selective thinning cuts after flowering.
- Avoid hard shearing or rejuvenation pruning.
Memory trick: California Lilac: Thin with care, after the bloom, for next year!