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Daphne Tangutica in need of some hard pruning

Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,893
in Plants
I planted a small D. Tangutica 3 years ago expecting it to either die or grow slowly to the stated size of 1m x 1m.
It hasn't and is now getting so big I can't get round to my arbour on one side and it's smothering everything around it.
So I need to do some heavy pruning and was after some advice as to how and when, as from what I've read they don't like to be pruned and I'd hate to loose it.

Thanks




Billericay - Essex

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,626
    I suggest you prune it very lightly and take lots of cuttings.   Regular light pruning will be less of a shock than a hard prune which will see it sulk and die.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,893
    Cheers @Obelixx - that makes good sense, but having never had a Daphne before any idea how much should I cut it back by next spring?
    It's already more than 1.5m wide so I'm hoping it's going to slow down.


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,626
    The only one I ever tried died of cold its first year.   Might have a go in this garden when I eventually get my new shrubs and trees bed.

    The RHS reckons your tangutica is one of the three best daphnes to grow but also says it hates hard pruning so I wouldn't take off more than 6"/15cm at a time and then see how it goes.    I'd have a go now and then leave it be so wounds have time to heal before frosts arrive.  i'd then have another go in spring once the frosts are over and then, assuming it hasn't had a fit, try again mid summer.

    The other option is to move it to a space where it cab grow unhindered and that should be done in autumn with good preparation and watering before and after.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,893
    That sounds like a good idea @Obelixx and makes sense to do it little and often.
    Soon as it's cool enough for me to venture into the garden I'll whip out my recently sharpened secateurs and have a go and get some cuttings too from the prunings.
    I appreciate your advice.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,626
    Hope it works.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,893
    Me too :)

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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