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Cistus bush large - frost damaged.... can I cut back to ground level?
Bigbarb
Posts: 70
We live near the North Sea in the Scottish Borders. Our cistus bush came with us from Nottinghamshire and lasted 11 winters... the wind and snow this year has turned all but the very top brown... just a few green leaves on the top remain, the rest brown leaves or bare stems. If we cut it back will it come again?...any suggestions welcome
0
Posts
Pruning neglected shrubs
- Many shrubs can be renovated by taking out older wood to encourage new shoots from the base. Examples include early flowering and summer flowering such as Philadelphus, Weigela and Deutzia
- Evergreen shrubs such as Camellias, Choisya, Viburnum and Photinia re-shoot from old wood and can be successfully renovated over a couple of years
- Some shrubs such as Cistus, lavender and most conifers are best replaced
I've just taken this from the RHS website and I'm thinking that cutting into old wood is not advisable. If you have time and inclination, cut some of the plant down now and maybe take cuttings and hope the rest recovers.