The burning bush is a shrub with spectacular fall foliage.
It is an attractive plant because of its cork-like strips that change from red to pinkish-red during autumn.
Besides, the burning bush is famous for its reddish-brown berries. But where does the plant grow?
Conditions That Favor the Shrub’s Growth
Burning bush does not require a lot to grow.
In the real sense, the shrub is easy to cultivate in any space that has the right soil conditions.
Well-drained soils are the most appropriate for burning bush propagation.
You must, therefore, avoid waterlogged soils like the plague.
Next, the plant requires sufficient amounts of nutrients.
The nutrients help the shoots grow into healthy plants fast.
You must, therefore, add the best fertilizer on the market to the ground when planting. It will help the bush thrive.
Shrub Characteristics
Most Americans, however, detest the plant, and here is why.
One, the burning bush is invasive. It anchors itself firmly to the ground, thus dominating other plants.
Besides, the plant is poisonous to people and animals.
Scientific studies show that the shrub contains alkaloids and cardiac glycosides, compounds that cause severe gastrointestinal and heart rhythm complications when ingested.
You must, therefore, keep the plant away from kids and dogs.
Recall, babies, and hounds eat almost every other thing they can get their hands on!
When to Trim the Bush
The plant improves garden aesthetics when pruned regularly. But how do you know when to trim burning bushes without expert knowledge?
One, you must watch out for the seasons.
Gardening professionals reveal that trimming during late winter, or early spring keeps your forest looking fresh and healthy.
Techniques to Use
But there is more. You must also use the right methods to prune the hedge. They include:
- Light pruning
- Routine pruning
- Heavy pruning
- Severe pruning
Light pruning is easy. All you must do is cut the over-grown bushes at a forty-five-degree angle.
Angling encourages water flow. The process is also easy to fulfill throughout the year.
Routine pruning is also advisable.
The technique eliminates dead branches, including the “sick-looking” ones. In brief, regular pruning makes the shrub healthier.
Heavy pruning, on the contrary, is an activity best performed in late winter or early spring.
The exercise improves the penetration of light and air circulation, thus revitalizing the shrub. What results after that is increased plant size and density.
Severe pruning comes as a last resort. It helps you handle neglected shrubs fast.
It is, however, best that you prune the mess in early spring.
Recall, that the cutting action rejuvenates the bush. More so, you gain stronger and healthier plants on maturity.
How to Trim the Burning Bush
Why do you want to cut the bush down? That is one vital question you must ask yourself before you get your hands dirty.
And as you will, later on, realize, most people trim the shrub for rejuvenation and aesthetics.
So, what process do you use to trim the hedge?
First, you need the right tools. Investing in a sharp pair of hedge clippers or pruning shears, for instance, can help you cut the shrub up to three inches from the ground.
You also need a thick gardening glove to protect your hands from harm.
Trimming in such a fashion then provides room for healthier growth.
Shaping, on the contrary, requires a different approach altogether.
As experts reveal, you must first find a suitable cutting tool for the job.
You can then concentrate on the design details to achieve the perfect trim.
But why is designing vital to your success? Well, the steps help you create a virtual impression of the end product.
It also allows you to cut through the mess without making mistakes. Above all, the design stage revitalizes the shrub.
In brief, never cut without the perfect model in mind.
After all, mistakes will only make the bush unsightly. Besides, simple errors will impact airflow and sunlight penetration immeasurably.
Conclusion
The burning bush has a two-sided effect. It is a plant that blooms and shines when young, thus attracting passersby.
But the plant becomes a nuisance when mature.
It dominates gardening spaces, and even destroys other flora. Burning bush removal is, therefore, necessary under such circumstances.
But how do you trim the shrub? Well, the guide above can help you achieve greatness.
Caution, however, gets advised, when cutting down the hedge for the following reasons. The plant is dominant.
It adheres to the ground like duct tape.
Removing the shrub is, therefore, impossible not unless you use a lot of force and a sharp cutting edge.
Above all, watch out for the different seasons to ensure the shrub blooms fast. Remember, cutting the bush is one thing and keeping it neat is another!
