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Pruning this shrub (escallonia?)

StefaanStefaan Posts: 5
in Problem solving
Hello, 

I recently bought a house and the driveway came with 3 big shrubs (son for scale) . I think they are escallonias.

The inside is pretty much bare and the back is not carrying a lot of leaves (some tiny leaves sprouting inside) Can I just take the hedge trimmer and trim it half the size? And when is the right time? Just after flowering?

Thank you 

Posts

  • StefaanStefaan Posts: 5
    2 additional pictures


  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 11,954
    Hello Stefaan, welcome to the forum  :)
    Normally you would prune escallonia in the autumn around September after they've finished flowering. You can cut them hard back with a hedge trimmer,  l found an old thread here which may be of some help. 
    https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/32324/when-to-prune-escallonia
  • StefaanStefaan Posts: 5
    Awesome, thank you. I will make a note in my calendar for September  :)
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,577
    As a general rule of thumb, if you see tiny new buds/shoots on very old wood, you're safe to cut it back hard. 
    It's only the 1st of May. I'd cut it back hard now and give it a good feed.
    Devon.
  • StefaanStefaan Posts: 5
    @Treeface thank you for your input. I gave the biggest one a hard trim because the branches were almost tree-sized in thickness and my hedge trimmer couldn't get through. The other 2 got a milder trim so they are more 'blob shaped' again. I will post a picture next year with the result  B)
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