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Leycesteria Pruning

adrian_maidmentadrian_maidment Posts: 41
in Plants
Our Leycesteria has been neglected by both me and the previous owners of our house. It's now very tall and woody and is struggling to support its own weight (plus sone stems werw broken when we had s nearby tree cut back).

When and how should I prune this to give it a new lease of life? If I cut it back very hard to almost nothing, will that work or kill it?

In the photos I've tried to show most of the plant plus the woody base.

Thanks
   Adrian

Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I'd cut it in half before it gets hit by winter gales, then cut the whole thing to about 12" from the ground in Spring. 
    You can see it sends up new shoots right from the ground so it will regenerate.
    Devon.
  • tessagardenbarmytessagardenbarmy Posts: 346
    It's as tough as old boots and you'll have seedlings popping up everywhere x Lovely  plant and my blackbirds  appreciate  it .
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Hostafan is right, I would advise the same.  Every year you could cut right out the oldest woodiest stems that have flowered, so the plant constantly renews itself an doesn't get out of hand.  Having said that, I must follow my own advice and do my own!
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    I cut an old neglected one to the ground this year. It responded by sending up lots of fresh new shoots. I would leave it for now, the birds will eat the berries.
  • adrian_maidmentadrian_maidment Posts: 41
    Thanks all. I'll leave the berries for a few weeks then follow Hostas advice.

    Interestingly we've never had seedlings appear so maybe we're unlucky. I might try to get some seeds from the berries and see if I can grow any more.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    adrian_maidment said:
    Thanks all. I'll leave the berries for a few weeks then follow Hostas advice.

    Interestingly we've never had seedlings appear so maybe we're unlucky. I might try to get some seeds from the berries and see if I can grow any more.
    Be careful what you wish for. I've seen gardens over-run by seedlings. They're easy enough to spot though if you get too many.
    Devon.
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