Pruning shrubby wallflowers

Erysimums, aka shrubby wallflowers, bloom throughout most of the year. But if the first flush of flowers on yours is starting to look tatty, get out there with the secateurs. There are two pruning techniques depending on the variety, so make sure you pick the right one!

The larger evergreen ones, including Bowles Mauve and variegated Stars n Stripes should just have all the old flower stems cut out – if you look at the base of the flower spikes you will almost certainly see new buds forming, and that is where you want to cut to. If you cut too much into the leafy branches you run the risk of killing the plant.

The smaller, softer Pastel Patchwork and orange-flowering Apricot Twist get a much harder chop – all the flowers and all the leafy stems cut back to just a few inches from the ground. Don’t be tempted to leave too much, as you will just end up with scruffy regrowth.
You might need to give your Erysimums another prune later in the summer, which will give you flowers into October, November or maybe even longer!