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Removing hydrangeas

Hi I have recently moved into a house and I am new to gardening. My garden has a lot of hydrangea bushes all planted in really awkward places (in small flower beds right next to a narrow garden path and right opposite each other) they make it so you can't open gates or get down the path into the garden. The space is so narrow even if they were heavily pruned it still wouldnt do. They need removing. Does anyone have tips on how to do this?

Last edited: 11 February 2018 06:53:43

Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889

    If you can't cut them back to make a smaller bush and they really have to come out, I'd cut back the stems , but leave enough to get hold of .

    Dig round the rootball and lever them, if you can get someone else to hold the stems and pull at the same time, even better. 

    No substitute for hard work I'm afraid.

    Devon.
  • Thank you. I'm not afraid of hard work Some of them are just so enormous I didn't know where to begin!

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889

    As I said, I'd cut them back to about 18" all round so you ( or a friend ) has something to grab hold of and pull while someone else levers.

    Devon.
  • If you aren't that bothered about the bush surviving, you can pull it out with a truck or another strong car. I did it with an 50 year old bush with roots from hell. 

  • And I used one of these by the lake (no acsess with a car) to pull out roots in the water: https://www.clasohlson.com/uk/Hand-Winch/30-9996

  • Whereabouts are you? Any noticeboards or groups around who could take them for you? Park ‘friends’ Group maybe? 

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