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Can someone tell me what is this please, and when/how to prune?

Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    I think it's Hydrangea aspera subsp. sargentiana or similar aspera type.

    https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/95907/Hydrangea-aspera-subsp-sargentiana/Details
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • mrspangolinsquirrelmrspangolinsquirrel Posts: 8
    Thank you, I thought it looked like a hydrangea but couldn't find it anywhere  :)
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Looks a bit thirsty and hungry to me so I'd be giving it a very large bucket of water poured slowly so it soaks in.  Maybe loosen the soil around it with a hand fork first and then, after it's had a good drink, give it a mulch of well-rotted garden compost and/or manure.

    I wouldn't prune it at all except to remove the spent flower heads next spring and then wait and see if the feeding and watering have encouraged it to bush out more form dormant buds lower down the stems.    If it doesn't you could then prune back one or two stems to just above a bud to see if that works and repeat with the other stems the following year.  That way you won't lose a season of those gorgeous flowers.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • mrspangolinsquirrelmrspangolinsquirrel Posts: 8
    Thank you so much for taking the time to send me that helpful reply. It was so useful and I shall do it today. The plant was already at our home when we moved in, I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be a 'standard' haha as it's so tall, it would be great if I could encourage it to bush out. We have a large garden and are new to gardening.....but loving it! :-)
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    My pleasure.  I hope it responds well.  Don't be afraid to give it a bucket of water a week till leaf fall.

    I have been coveting that particular form of hydrangea for a while but have found none near here since we arrived nearly 4 years ago. It's gorgeous.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • mrspangolinsquirrelmrspangolinsquirrel Posts: 8
    I noticed that you lived in Belgium for 25 years, we lived there too but only for 4-small world!
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    We loved it but realised, upon retirement, that winters that can last 6 months and be very cold, grey and wet are not good for older bones.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • TackTack Posts: 1,367
    A hydrangea aspera is a beautiful plant, one of my favourites so I couldn't resist sharing these pictures of mine. It is about 25 years old, 10ft high ish and wants to spread very wide so I just prune for shape in the spring. It does need a lot of watering. It sends out roots which sprout branches about 1m from the trunk, you can take these as new plants but they grow slowly.
  • mrspangolinsquirrelmrspangolinsquirrel Posts: 8
    wow that's beautiful-aspirations! thanks for sharing them with me. Mine looks nothing like that :-( .....yet :-)
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Now you know why I'd like one!
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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