Nandinas and Mahonias Pruning and Thinning

An approach to improve the plants to a more bushy compact and attractive appearance is to cut or thin out a few of the older canes. The number to be cut will depend on the quantity of canes.

Thinning is the recommended pruning practice for Nandinas and Mahonias. Thinning involves the removal of one or two of the older, taller, crowded canes or stems. The young canes are left to grow and develop.

Pruning time…

The proper time for pruning Nandinas is late winter—late February or by mid-March. Be sure to cut the older canes down to ground level. Older Nandinas which have not been pruned will have a number of canes with foliage at the top of each. This gives the plants a somewhat leggy appearance.

An approach to improve the plants to a more bushy compact and attractive appearance is to cut or thin out a few of the older canes. The number to be cut will depend on the quantity of canes. Generally, removing approximately one-third of the older, crowded inside canes. The next step involves shortening some of the outside canes about one-half and some down to ground level. Making cuts at different levels will encourage new growth at all levels in the plant.

New growth…

Remember that the new growth most often occurs just below the cut. The newly developing shoots will help fill out the plant and hide some of the older, taller canes.

Mahonia plants…

Mahonia plants are somewhat slower in growth than Nandinas. Older, good plants are those that have attractive form from ground level up. If several stems exist but foliage is scarce, prune one or two of the older canes at ground level or slightly above. This will force a new stem to grow at ground level. Consequently, new leaves will occur at ground level. This will improve the appearance of the plant.

Prune stems just above a node or joint in late February. Repeating this procedure for a couple of years, coupled with fertilization in mid-March, will eventually renew the attractiveness of Mahonias.

For more information on pruning Nandinas and Mahonias, contact your local County Extension Office.