Just bought one of these but not sure what 'scheme' it will go with. Can it be kept waist height and pruned to fit into a 'structured' style? Japanese 'tidy' style? Or is it better in the cottage, freeflow scheme? Thanks.
I have a few which are part of a mixed hedge and are cut with the hedge trimmers to form a tidy, approx 5’ high hedge.
I have another which grows more naturally and is now about 3m high - it is part of a mixed shrub / tree screen.
I have another which I am hoping to keep a little lower but still with the natural shape. Waist high may be a little low. Every time you cut the top off they seem to sprout side shoots. so can become a bit boxy in shape.
That’s good when they’re part of a hedge but, as stand alone plants, I think their natural ‘fountain’ shape is more attractive.
Important not to cut them too late in the season as you lose the lovely winter flowers. The large one smells divine at the moment.
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
I've had one for many years. I noticed this afternoon it's got a few flowers out already. It did get to about 10ft a few years ago, so I pruned it down to 6ft and every summer when it sends up long new shoots, I cut it all back to 6ft. Maybe I loose flowers, but it keeps it neat, tidy and bushy, and it still flowers well. I'm sure it would prefer to grow naturally (cottage style), but it was starting to smother other shrubs in my cottage-style border. Waist height maybe a bit drastic if you want lots of flowers
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Great thanks. It'll have to go in the cottage bit . Couldn't resist it as I've wanted one for ages. Didn't think it through really as to where there's space. For the best view of its winter flowers the borders are dry in summer, might it be ok if I water it well for first year, is are the roots deep?
Not sure where you are Mrs G but the soil here is still bone dry. It'll appreciate regular watering during its first season unless we get a lot of rain. Not sure about how deep the roots are - I've never dug it up
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Mine has other shrubs on 2 sides and at the back and it grows well, so once established they seem to look after themselves. If you can keep it watered for its first season it should be fine
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
I'm probably going to reshape the bed to fit it in! It's the best bed from the house so obviously I want 'everything' in it (even though it's tricky with the dryness!) and I must prioritise winter interest! It could also go infront of an apple tree but I ideally want this bed to be more 'formal'.
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I have another which grows more naturally and is now about 3m high - it is part of a mixed shrub / tree screen.
I have another which I am hoping to keep a little lower but still with the natural shape. Waist high may be a little low. Every time you cut the top off they seem to sprout side shoots. so can become a bit boxy in shape.
That’s good when they’re part of a hedge but, as stand alone plants, I think their natural ‘fountain’ shape is more attractive.
Important not to cut them too late in the season as you lose the lovely winter flowers. The large one smells divine at the moment.
It did get to about 10ft a few years ago, so I pruned it down to 6ft and every summer when it sends up long new shoots, I cut it all back to 6ft. Maybe I loose flowers, but it keeps it neat, tidy and bushy, and it still flowers well.
I'm sure it would prefer to grow naturally (cottage style), but it was starting to smother other shrubs in my cottage-style border.
Waist height maybe a bit drastic if you want lots of flowers
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Not sure about how deep the roots are - I've never dug it up
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
If you can keep it watered for its first season it should be fine
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.