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Philadelphus Belle Etoile - pruning

SammymummySammymummy Posts: 202
in Plants
Hi

My philadelphus is rather sparse this year, especially on the right side (hope you can see it from photos). It is in its 5th season in my sunny border and I pruned lightly all over after flowering last year. Any advice as to how I should prune would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They're much happier in some shade, and with soil that doesn't dry out, so it probably isn't thriving as well as it should.
    Pruning back after flowering is the norm, and you can take about a third off the stems, back to a good leaf joint. You can also take some stems out completely which will help to rejuvenate it a bit. Watering thoroughly and mulching will also help.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • the tidy gardenerthe tidy gardener Posts: 591
    Mines in full sun and quite happy! I have to say I dont prune it at all.i know you should after flowering.theyre pretty tough plants.often used by councils for hardy shrubs that they dont have to bother with!
  • SammymummySammymummy Posts: 202
    Thank you Fairygirl - I didn’t know they are happier in partial shade! It’s rather too big to move now. I will take a third off all over and also take a couple of oldest branches out this year. Do you think I should prune this way every year?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Like many shrubs, if the soil's right, they can cope with more sun. Mine get quite a bit, but the soil never dries out. 
    To get the best from them - pruning after flowering keeps them from getting leggy, with all the flowers at the top, and it encourages stronger growth .
    You only need to take stems out if they're crossing, or damaged, but it can also keep them bushier and encourage new growth, which is really what you're needing with yours.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • SammymummySammymummy Posts: 202
    Thank you again. The sunny border is very heavy clay so it cracks after a few days’ dry spell. I will take more care with watering and pruning.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If you add some organic matter on a regular basis, that will help too. It'll prevent the clay drying and cracking, and give it a more stable growth medium.

    Well rotted manure is the best solution for clay.  :)
    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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