Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Hebe pruning

gardenman91gardenman91 Posts: 429
in Problem solving
Good afternoon everyone!

So I have a Hebe Elegance Rose, I don’t know what the species is however so can’t track down the exact pruning method! It’s only a year or two old, but I’m wondering if it’s best pruned in spring or after flowering (whilst deadheading I assume?) If I’m pruning after flowering how much do I cut back by? Many thanks :smile:

Posts

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    The standard advice for hebes is to pick one that you can accommodate the mature size of. As they don't respond very well to continual pruning. But if there's no other option then prune but you may end up with parts that may not regenerate. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • PianoplayerPianoplayer Posts: 624
    Hi
    I agree with @amancalledgeorge  - light pruning only, in spring:
    https://www.rhsplants.co.uk/plants/_/hebe-rose-elegance-lowtop-pbr/classid.2000036323/

  • gardenman91gardenman91 Posts: 429
    Ok light pruning it is :) how much by though? I’ve also noticed that for some reason it’s leaning forward somewhat although it was planted correctly and appears to be healthy :smile:

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Leaning indicates it's trying to get more light. 
    Light pruning just means taking a small amount off - not hacking back by half. A couple of inches at most for Hebes - back to a leaf joint.
    If it's too big for the space, you'd either need to move it or you can remove whole stems back to the main 'trunk' to reduce the overall size. That needs care though, as it doesn't always look great. 
    It doesn't matter much about the species - in general, the larger leaved ones are less tough, so it's never a good idea to be too severe with them when pruning. Same with variegated types - always a bit less hardy. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • gardenman91gardenman91 Posts: 429
    @Fairygirl thank you for the advice 😁 is there anything I can do to rectify the leaning? Or is it better to put some garden soil round the base at the back in the hope it’ll form more adventitious roots?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    No - don't start messing about with soil levels. You can always try pegging down stems at the back - better in spring probably, but if it's trying to get more light, there's nothing you can do about that. 
    I can't see much wrong with it to be honest.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • gardenman91gardenman91 Posts: 429
    @Fairygirl so it might be best to just leave it be? It only worries me because I can move it backwards quite easily but just moves itself back forward. Tell me if I’m overthinking this! 😂 :smile:
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - you're massively over thinking it  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • gardenman91gardenman91 Posts: 429
    Haha I thought so! Sorry 😂 I just like to make sure I get something right. 
Sign In or Register to comment.