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UptomeneckUptomeneck Posts: 58
in Plants
can someone identify this plant and how and when to prune

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  • B3B3 Posts: 25,155
    It looks like the old stems of a euphorbia
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • UptomeneckUptomeneck Posts: 58
    Do you know best time and how to prune ?
  • B3B3 Posts: 25,155
    There should be new shoots at ground level. Cut the old stems right off and don't touch the sap. Wash your hands after. It's really painful if you get it in your eyes.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,005
    They don't seem to mind when they're pruned back, but usually it's best to wait until after they 'flower'. Late spring/early summer for most of them.
    [The flowers are really bracts]
    Normally just cut back to a good section, but you can take those leggy pieces right back to encourage better growth from lower down. It's possibly got leggy due to it's position in the border, ie reaching for light.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • UptomeneckUptomeneck Posts: 58
    Many thanks very helpfull would it harm plant to do it now ?
  • B3B3 Posts: 25,155
    No
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,005
    Should have said - wear gloves, as they release a milky sap which can irritate skin.
    It never used to bother me, but I cut back a low growing one not long ago, and wondered why  my left hand was so itchy. I'd been leaning on that one keeping pieces ourt the way, and the sap had gone through the fabric. Took several days to stop itching!
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,218
    edited October 2019
    See if you can find a seedling to replace it as it might be getting near to the end of it's life. They can start going downhill after 5 years or so.
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