Murraya paniculata, also known as Orange Jasmine or Mock Orange, is a wonderful evergreen shrub. It's currently in full bloom, as summer and autumn are its prime blooming seasons. With its subtle fragrance, Orange Jasmine offers a refreshing sense of coolness in the hot summer months.

Using battery powered pruning shears will make your pruning more efficient and less labor intensive.

Also known as Four Seasons Jasmine or Miniature Jasmine, this plant features lush green leaves that enhance the vibrant summer blooms. Recently, it has transitioned from being a common garden plant to a popular potted decoration, bringing joy to many households. Without proper pruning, it can grow rapidly, resulting in a messy appearance. So, how should we prune Orange Jasmine? Here, Flower Valley offers a detailed guide on pruning techniques for Orange Jasmine!

Pruning During the Seedling Stage

Pruning should start from the seedling stage to ensure the plant maintains a beautiful shape as it matures. During this phase, it's essential to perform a significant pruning known as "heading back," leaving about 20cm of stem. This initial cut encourages the growth of numerous new branches from the cut area, helping to form a full, spherical shape.

Orange Jasmine has a tendency for the lower branches to die off after several years, resulting in a tall, bare stem, which can be unsightly. Therefore, heading back during the seedling stage prevents this issue, ensuring a more balanced and aesthetic growth.

After this initial pruning, continue to prune every spring and early summer to promote new side branches. This routine will help maintain a lush and attractive appearance year after year, allowing a beautiful Orange Jasmine to grace your home.

Pruning During the Growing Season

Pruning during the growing season encourages the development of more side branches and helps maintain the plant's shape. It also removes dead or diseased branches, improving air circulation and light penetration, which contributes to healthier growth.

Fast-growing branches can disrupt the plant's overall appearance and should be pruned to maintain a balanced shape and prevent excessive nutrient consumption. Each time you prune, slightly enlarge the plant’s overall shape to avoid removing too many leaves, which can lead to bare branches. This practice will also promote denser foliage and more abundant flowering.

Pruning Before and After Blooming

Prune the plant about two weeks before the blooming period to encourage more flower buds. After blooming, remove spent flowers and any branches that may have dried out in high temperatures to prevent bacterial infections. If summer temperatures exceed 35°C, avoid pruning; if necessary, keep the plant in a shaded area for a week after pruning before resuming normal care.

Routine Pruning

Every spring, prune Orange Jasmine to remove dead, diseased, weak, and overly dense branches, enhancing air circulation and light penetration. Routine pruning should also address any diseased or dead branches promptly. Remove any shoots emerging from the soil to maintain the plant's shape, and pinch back branches that contribute to the plant's form once they reach a certain height.

By following these pruning techniques, you can keep your Orange Jasmine healthy and beautiful. Remember to also fertilize after each blooming period to support abundant future blooms.