How to Prune Iberis Sempervirens

Hedge clippers are great for cutting back Iberis sempervirens.

Iberis sempervirens, also known as evergreen candytuft, is a perennial flowering plant often planted as a landscape ornamental. Iberis sempervirens' ornamental value and easy-growing attitude make it an ideal garden plant. This bushy beauty needs very little pruning care. Annual hard pruning after it flowers will keep the plant growing densely. Left to its own devices, the candytuft will become leggy and a little more wild looking. Any stems that are allowed to remain on the ground will eventually take root, and the plant will spread.

Things You'll Need

• Hedge clippers

Instructions

1. Water the Iberis sempervirens bed if it is dry. Evergreen candytuft responds well to pruning, but it is a shock. It will recover more readily if it is not under drought stress.

2. Cut the Iberis sempervirens back to one-half to one-third of its size with a pair of hedge clippers.

3. Remove the cut foliage from the bed and discard or compost it. Do not leave it in the bed. As it decays it could spread fungus or bacteria to the living plant tissue around it.

References

• University of Minnesota; Pruning Perennials; Dana Gardner
• Paghat the Ratgirl: 'Snowflake' Evergreen Candytuff
• The Garden Helper: How to Grow and Care for Candytuft Plants