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Renovating Large Old Shrubs

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  • FlapjackFlapjack Posts: 7
    I think you may have the same thoughts on this one 🤣
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Not sure what that last one is, but if you don't want to wait until it flowers, a good rule-of-thumb for unknown overgrown shrubs this to remove 1/3rd of the oldest looking stems  right back to the ground, when it dormant.  I'd then wait until it flowers to get an ID, then prune appropriately after that.  Remove any obviously dead or diseased wood first.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I thought it was a Spirea at first, but I'm wondering if it's a Genista. 
    We need @Silver surfer  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    The growth habit reminded me of Spirea too, but I didn't think the leaves were quite right. Maybe it's the white one (I got rid of it years ago so I can't check).
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I have two types of white spirea, but they don't look like that.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I'd get rid of that one as well, whatever it is.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    edited November 2020
    Lizzie27 said:
    @pjconstable , I'd cut your losses and get rid of that one, it looks too old and tatty ever to come back.
    You could plant something else you really like in that spot.
    Can you post a photo of the other plant please, it might help us to ID it better.
    Hmm! 
    I would expect many deciduous shrubs to look old and tatty at this time of the year.
    With just a few leaves hanging on. It is autumn and that shrub is not an evergreen.
    Personally I would leave it.
    Come spring it may be stunning,covered in flowers.
    That is the time to decide whether to get rid of it.
    I wonder if it is Spiraea x vanhouttei. 

    https://www.google.com/search?q=spiraea+x+vanhouttei+leaf&client=firefox-b-d&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=3BV_Hnx0HmDAHM%2CBLBueUf0GWE1XM%2C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kRnqwH_v2K9-5DSUD8ROFWwHjf6_w&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiV3JyD0pHtAhXSgVwKHRatAgwQ9QF6BAgCEDQ&biw=1280&bih=579#imgrc=3BV_Hnx0HmDAHM

    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • helenkilmorequayhelenkilmorequay Posts: 1
    I would prune hard back then if it regrows great if it doesn’t dig up
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Silver surfer said:

    I wonder if it is Spiraea x vanhouttei. 

    That's the one I was thinking of! Couldn't remember the name though.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FlapjackFlapjack Posts: 7
    Thank you all for your advice and also help in ID.  I'm now sure its Spiraea x vanhouttei.  Thank you to those that IDd correctly 🥇 I've decided to just prune back both this Winter and see what appears in the Spring. Thanks again for all your help. Peter.
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