Flannel Flower (pruning)

Hi, I have a small planter (1.4m x 0.3 x 0.3) I planed a Flannel Flower (Fremontodendron) this year. It has grown very fast and is now about two metres high. It has reached the top of a wall mounted trellis and I cant let it get any bigger. It has several side shoots that I have secured back to the trellis.

What is the best way to prune this plant?

Ian

Pruning Fremontodendron

Reply from Nicola

Hi Ian, Found some more advice for you...

`California Glory' is certainly not for every situation as it is very vigorous (if in a sheltered sunny spot can grow to 25 feet tall!) and it has a habit of dying after a few years, either wholly or in part.

Contact with the shoot hairs can irritate the skin, so that it is necessary to protect the eyes and exposed skin before attempting to prune it.

This plant does not tolerate very hard pruning. If training a fremontodendron against a wall, prune back the sideshoots to two to four buds after flowering. Otherwise, simply cut out dead wood.

Hope that helps!