Have you ever seen a Pieris forest flame gone woody? If yes, how did you fix it? Pieris shrub is popular for its attractive foliage. It is an ideal plant for woodland and rock gardens.
Shrubs are generally woody by nature, and there is not much we can do about it. But can the hardening of Pieris be minimized? Are there any particular factors that influence it? Sure, yes.
In this article, we will take a look at the causes of this occurrence and learn how to fix them.
Why Has Your Pieris Forest Flame Gone Woody?
Pieris forest flame can become woody as it ages. As plants mature, they often produce thicker stems and branches to support their growth. A plant may also become woody if it has been pruned too severely, which is unnecessary, in my opinion.
You can trim the plant to a lower set of leaves to promote new growth or cut back the woody stems just above the ground. Let’s take a detailed look at the reasons for Pieris going woody below:
Reason 1: Age
Like most plants, Pieris changes in appearance with age. The epidermal cells of a plant remain green and fresh when the stem is young.
These cells become brownish as they mature due to the deposition of cellulose and the hardening of the cell membrane. Eventually, the stem becomes woody and hard. It is an inevitable growth stage that many plants go through with age.
Reason 2: Over-pruning
Pruning is important for promoting healthy new growth and maintaining plant shape, but Pieris forest flame shrubs only need to be pruned once a year in late spring after flowering. Use sharp, clean and disinfected pruning tools, remove dead, diseased or crossing branches, trim to the desired shape, avoid over-pruning, as Pieris is a slow-growing plant.
Pruning is a crucial technique to promote healthy new growth and maintain the plant’s shape. But you don’t have to do it too frequently, as Pieris does not need routine pruning.
Cutting off too much of the plant’s foliage can cause the plant to become woody. The plant then focuses its energy on replacing the lost leaves by growing new stems, which leads to a thicker, more woody structure.
The best time to prune the Pieris shrub is late spring, after the flowering period. It is the only time you can prune it to remove spindly branches or faded flowers.
Keep the following tips in mind while trimming Pieris flame forest:
- Use sharp, clean, and disinfected pruning shears or hedge trimmers to avoid damaging the plant.
- Prune Pieris forest flame in late spring immediately after flowering.
- Remove any dead, diseased, or crossing branches.
- If you want to maintain a specific shape or size, use your pruning shears or hedge trimmers to trim back the plant to the desired shape.
- Avoid removing too much growth from one side of the plant, as this will create an unbalanced appearance.
- To maintain the area around the plant neat, pick up any leaves, stems, or other debris that you have removed.
Lastly, remember that Pieris is a slow-growing plant. Hence, patience is the key. Avoid over-pruning, which can harm the plant, by trimming lightly and selectively.
Reason 3: Environmental Factors
Environmental factors such as harsh weather, intense sunlight, cold temperatures or drought can cause the stems of Pieris forest flame shrubs to become woody. To maintain its health and beauty, keep the soil moist, place it in partial shade, provide winter protection in cold climates, fertilize regularly with a balanced fertilizer, and ensure adequate space for proper air circulation.
Certain environmental factors contribute to plants becoming woody. Exposure to harsh weather situations, such as strong winds, intense sunlight, cold temperatures, or drought, can cause Pieris’s stems to become harder and woodier to endure these conditions. Again, there is no way to avoid these circumstances, nor is there any reason to do so.
Consider following guidelines to maintain its health and beauty:
- It’s important to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. So, ensure not to overwater, as it can lead to the development of woody stems.
- Pieris forest flame prefers partial shade to full sun. So, place it where it will receive dappled sunlight throughout the day.
- Pieris is a cold-hardy plant. But it can be a bit sensitive to frost at a young age. In cold climates with temperatures below 20°F (-6°C), it is better to provide winter protection, such as covering the plant with frost cloth or burlap or placing it in a sheltered location.
- Ensure that the plant receives adequate nutrition by fertilizing it regularly. BioAdvanced is a slow-release fertilizer that can elevate the health of your shrub. It also protects from pests and insects, which is great. (You can buy this product by clicking this link)
- Overcrowding can lead to poor air circulation, which can contribute to woodiness. So, make sure the plant has sufficient space to grow and does not become overcrowded by other plants.
How to Properly Prune Your Pieris Forest Flame?
Pieris forest flame shrubs need annual pruning in late spring after flowering; avoid heavy pruning and cut back one-third to one-half of the oldest shoots. Trim out damaged growth and use precise, sterile and disinfected pruning tools for best results.
It’s imperative to note that over-pruning can slow down growth and cause stunting. Hence, consider the following tips to properly prune a Pieris forest flame shrub:
- Remember that Pieris doesn’t need regular trimming. All it needs is annual pruning in late spring. You can do it right after flowering.
- Avoid heavy pruning, as it may cause the shrub to become leggy.
- Cut back one-third to one-half of the oldest shoots to the base.
- Demolish damaged growth by cutting off brown or black branches, leaves, or flowers. Also, trim out any older, thicker stems to allow for new growth to come through.
- To prevent plant damage, use pruning shears or hedge trimmers that are precise, sterile, and disinfected.
Pieris will remain attractive as long as you take care of its needs for nutrients and sunlight and provide appropriate weather protection. Simply be persistent in your efforts and patience with the results.
References
Missouribotanicalgarden.org, Horticulture.co.uk, gardenersworld.com/, extension.uga.edu, plantura.garden
