• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
Overgrown-Caryopteris-and-Seedlings-THUMB.jpg

Overgrown Caryopteris and Seedlings

I have three caryopteris plants along the back of a planting bed next to my house in southeast Wisconsin. They were planted in 2003 and grew much faster and bigger than everything else in the planting. Can I spray weed killer on the little plants coming up or will that kill the original plants too? Also, is it too late in the season to trim the big plants? I love the flowers in late summer, but I feel like the plants are out of control!

Caryopteris also known as blue mist spirea (Caryopteris x clandonensis) is rated hardy in zone 6 to 9 by some experts but mine, like yours is thriving in zone 5 and I have seen them perform well in parts of zone 4. Healthy vigorous plants will reseed readily. I invite friends to dig seedlings for their yards and then pull whatever is left. You can spot treat the seedlings with a total vegetation killer.  Whether using traditional or new environmentally friendly products read and follow label directions carefully. All these products are plant killers and can injure or kill your desirable plants as well as the weeds.

The best time of the year to prune them is late winter or early spring before growth begins. Prune the plants back to 4 to 6 inches above the ground. As the plants age you may decide to cut the plant back to 12 inches. Then remove some of the older stems back to an adjoining branch.

Related

Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars


April 3, 2024
Garden Trends 

Franklin Public Library, Franklin, WI

April 10, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

Container Gardening Throughout the Year
Register now

April 11, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

7 Steps to Managing Water Where it Falls in Your Yard
Register now

April 17, 2024
Landscaping for Birds: 
A Gardener’s Perspective

Glendale, WI 

April 18, 2024
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Golden Rondelle Theater, Racine, WI
Register now

April 20, 2024
Pruning Hydrangeas and Other Shrubs 
Pasquesi Home & Gardens, Lake Bluff, IL

April 27, 2024
Ridges & Rivers Book Festival
Viroqua, WI

April 28, 2024
Flowering Trees and Shrubs
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI

May 1, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

Ornamental Fruits and Vegetables
Register now

May 9, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

How to Plant Your Rain Garden
Register now

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Enter to Win The Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide !

ENTER NOW