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Bush pruning

JockstrapJockstrap Posts: 7
in Plants
Hi all

Unsure what this bush is but I have versions of it in several locations in the garden. It’s currently flowering, but I was just wondering how much it can be pruned without damaging it, and allowing it to regrow? 

I want to take them down a bit height wise but want to ensure it grows and isn’t a mass of twigs 

Posts

  • LynLyn DevonPosts: 19,961
    They’re Heathers, I don’t know about pruning them, every time I’ve tried I’m left with bare stalks. You could try googling re pruning.
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 31,700
    I think they're pretty much at full height now. Not sure they'll take much pruning before you hide "dead" wood.
    Devon.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Sheffield, Derbyshire border.Posts: 11,379
    When they have reached that size, they are difficult to prune, without them ending up very twiggy.
    He calls her the chocolate girl
    Cause he thinks she melts when he touches her
    She knows she's the chocolate girl
    Cause she's broken up and swallowed
    And wrapped in bits of silver
  • JockstrapJockstrap Posts: 7
    Thank you also the tree on the left in the last picture, am I ok to pull the dead leaves off? 
    Sorry don’t know what it is totally new to gardening other than mowing 🙂
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 31,700
    it's cordyline australis. Yes, get some good strong gloves and thick long sleeves . Start at the bottom and work your way up. they come away with a good hard tug.
    Devon.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Sheffield, Derbyshire border.Posts: 11,379
    Or burn it, horrible plants, IMO.
    He calls her the chocolate girl
    Cause he thinks she melts when he touches her
    She knows she's the chocolate girl
    Cause she's broken up and swallowed
    And wrapped in bits of silver
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 31,700
    edited April 2019
    punkdoc said:
    Or burn it, horrible plants, IMO.
    My thoughts exactly. For me, they come into the same group as heathers, lavender hedges, window boxes, rockeries, and hanging baskets: for every attractive one, you'll see 100 horrors.
    Devon.
  • Loraine3Loraine3 Posts: 522
    Not really suitable to prune, I just go over with shears and remove the dead flowers.
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