Can anyone tell me how and when to trim this shrub ? It is a lovely dome shape and well established but green starting to show through. Also how can I propagate it? Many thanks
They are lovely looking shrubs. Unfortunately for me, two plants had died on me, but I now know the reasons, which I didn't know at the time...
Provided you have a nice sheltered spot away from cold drying winds and soils are free draining, you can lightly prune anytime from now to late spring. The shrub is best trimmed lightly if you want to maintain that shape, but you don't need to trim it if it's not essential.
To propagate, take some semi hardwood cuttings in the summer time. Cut about 3 inches in height and push them into gritty compost. They should grow from there in protected surroundings for the first year. I never done this for this shrub, but it's worked for many other similar shrubs. Good luck.
Thank you Borderline. It is beautiful but want to keep it purple. I will try the cuttings in the summer. I am on a mild coast in the West of Scotland and it's doing well. It is well established in a new house I moved Into and don't want to lose it. Will try and get a photo tomorrow. Sorry yours didn't take.
There is no need to worry about the green foliage, it turns purple as it ages. I trim mine sometime around late May I think, or anytime I feel like it but I enjoy the Spring foliage background so I'm not wanting to prune them at this time. I have found cuttings difficult to take, it seems not the easiest to propagate.
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Provided you have a nice sheltered spot away from cold drying winds and soils are free draining, you can lightly prune anytime from now to late spring. The shrub is best trimmed lightly if you want to maintain that shape, but you don't need to trim it if it's not essential.
To propagate, take some semi hardwood cuttings in the summer time. Cut about 3 inches in height and push them into gritty compost. They should grow from there in protected surroundings for the first year. I never done this for this shrub, but it's worked for many other similar shrubs. Good luck.
I trim mine sometime around late May I think, or anytime I feel like it but I enjoy the Spring foliage background so I'm not wanting to prune them at this time.
I have found cuttings difficult to take, it seems not the easiest to propagate.