Gosh, that's some big box bush! When I hard pruned our hedge, I cut back to within 2ft of main trunk, fed, mulched and watered it and expected it to re-grow the following spring - which didn't happen.
The top of the hedge still grows, but the side hasn't. I only did one side as I was a bit wary of shocking an old hedge. I intended to cut the road side the following year but haven't done so yet, as I don't want big bare branches.
What I found is that the bush had grown very long branches with leaves at the very ends, but were completely bare in the middle of the hedge, meaning that the previous owner had just trimmed the vey ends a little and had let the hedge grow too wide. There are still no signs of life this year and I presume it won't regenerate, despite all the books telling you it can b done.
I'm sorry, but I think your bush is just too old and big to regrow. What you could try is to cut back to the last few leaves on each branch, similar to lavender pruning, and see what happens. Alternatively, just leave it as a venerable old bush and replace it some time in the future.
When I lived in Hants, I dealt with these guys. Very knowledgeable and helpful and National Collection Holders. I'd contact them for advice. http://www.langleyhorticulture.co.uk/
Yours might not be sprouting from the pruned areas as it as it is still growing from the top of the plant, it might just feel it’s no need to send new growth out lower down.
Of course the only way to tell this is to prune it fully at which point it will be too late for it if it doesn’t sprout.
@wayside Haven't done anything yet. It's up to my boss and don't think it's high on the list of priorities. I'd quite like to cut it back just to find out.
Just to clarify what I did, only one side was cut back hard. I still haven't got the courage to do the other side yet - waiting to see if I get any new shoots this spring!
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Gosh, that's some big box bush! When I hard pruned our hedge, I cut back to within 2ft of main trunk, fed, mulched and watered it and expected it to re-grow the following spring - which didn't happen.
The top of the hedge still grows, but the side hasn't. I only did one side as I was a bit wary of shocking an old hedge. I intended to cut the road side the following year but haven't done so yet, as I don't want big bare branches.
What I found is that the bush had grown very long branches with leaves at the very ends, but were completely bare in the middle of the hedge, meaning that the previous owner had just trimmed the vey ends a little and had let the hedge grow too wide. There are still no signs of life this year and I presume it won't regenerate, despite all the books telling you it can b done.
I'm sorry, but I think your bush is just too old and big to regrow. What you could try is to cut back to the last few leaves on each branch, similar to lavender pruning, and see what happens. Alternatively, just leave it as a venerable old bush and replace it some time in the future.
I'd contact them for advice.
http://www.langleyhorticulture.co.uk/
Yours might not be sprouting from the pruned areas as it as it is still growing from the top of the plant, it might just feel it’s no need to send new growth out lower down.
Of course the only way to tell this is to prune it fully at which point it will be too late for it if it doesn’t sprout.
Just a thought.
Cheers
Is that not what Lizzie said she had done??
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=398