In general, you should aim to trim jasmine once the blooming season has ended and the dead blooms have been removed. Pruning jasmine too harshly can end up weakening the shrub and suppressing flowering. If it has been a few years since your jasmine has been pruned, or it is getting overcrowded, it may be beneficial to prune with a light hand. Pruning much of the jasmine throughout the year will encourage healthy, strong new growth. When pruning jasmine, it is important to remember to remove any stems that are dead, diseased, broken, or in any way unhealthy. late August or early September), this could end up forcing the plant to focus its energy on new growth instead of setting buds for the next blooming season. If you happen to prune jasmine too late in the summer (i. Aim to prune the jasmine anywhere between late winter and early summer. Pruning jasmine while it is blooming can cause the cut stems to shed the remaining flowers too soon. When pruning jasmine, you should do so shortly after it blooms in the spring.

As you prune, try to evenly distribute the foliage around the shrub, avoiding any area with too much shade. You should also prune off any dead flowers or seed clusters that are forming. Use shears or pruners to selectively cut and remove any old, long stems that have grown out of control or have been damaged by cold winter weather or pests. Treat pruning jasmine as a sculptural practice, shaping the shrub as desired. This will ensure that energetic new growth will occur upwards towards the sun.Īvoid pruning back to the main stem or trunk, as it won’t be able to re-sprout afterwards. When pruning jasmine, aim to cut back the stems only as far as the first set of leaves near the ground. Generally, jasmine vines grow in an evergreen downward pattern. Before pruning, you’ll want to ascertain the variety of jasmine you’re pruning and how it grows. If left unpruned, many jasmine varieties can quickly become leggy and even top-heavy. You can prune back jasmine to control its size, promote bushier growth, keep it healthy and encourage blooming. After pruning, it’s important to trim any remaining stems and branches to create the desired shape and size.Īdditionally, you should fertilize Carolina jasmine after pruning to stimulate new growth and replenish the nutrients needed for its continued health. Next, thin out some of the connected branches and stems to remove heavy sections of growth and control the overall size.įinally, take time to shape the plant by removing any branches that are growing in an awkward direction or away from the desired shape. Start by removing dead branches and stems and cutting back any overly long stems and branches. To prune Carolina jasmine, you should use sharp, clean pruning scissors or shears. Pruning will help control the size and encourage dense growth, and it also helps minimize damage from high winds and other harsh weather conditions. Pruning is an important way to maintain their shape and size and keep them healthy. Yes, you should cut back Carolina jasmine.