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PRUNING OSMANTHUS

Roy57Roy57 Posts: 7
edited October 2018 in Problem solving
I have in my garden, what I believe to be an osmanthus x burkwoodi. It is now just under 3 metres tall, conical in shape, due to constant shaping. I now want to reduce the height to about 2 metres. Can this be successfully accomplished without killing of the shrub? If it can be accomplished, when would the best time be to do this? Most of the foliage appears to be on the outside creating the dome like shape, with very little growth on the branches inside the dome. This is my first ever posting, and any and all suggestions are most welcome.
Cheers.
Roy.

Posts

  • Joyce21Joyce21 Posts: 15,489
    @Roy57,  I tried reducing the height of mine but it looked awful as there was no regrowth on the cut area.  Ended up cutting it back to a stump and it's now regrowing.
    SW Scotland
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - they'll take hard pruning Roy.
    Have you got a pic? That can help with advice.  :)
    If  you want to keep the cone shape, just take the whole thing back by about six inches all over, and see how it looks. 
    Once you're feeling confident about pruning it, you can then do it again in spring when new growth will be quicker, and take it back further. Do that a couple of time through the year to make it easier for yourself and the shrub. You'll probably lose some flowers for a year or two, but they'll come back. 
    Alternatively, in spring, do what Joyce has done - and let it grow to a manageable height, and just keep it tidy after that. That's what I do with mine - just keep it in bounds, as it's a natural shape where I have my bird feeders . 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Roy57Roy57 Posts: 7
    Thank you Joyce and Fairygirl.
    I've attached a picture for any further comments and suggestions.
    I'm grateful for your help.
    CheersRoy

  • Joyce21Joyce21 Posts: 15,489
    Looking good Roy.
    SW Scotland
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    That's nice Roy. I thought you said it was a cone, so I wasn't expecting that!
    I think that's a good shape - you have light in at the base for other plants, and the structure of the bare stems/trunks which makes it a very attractive specimen.

    I'm not sure why you'd want to change it. It's lovely  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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