Help

Leeendean · February 2021

So guys, so now coming into my first year of gardening now. Would like some help with a few things, this is my silver anniversary budjea bush am I right in thinking that I should prune back hard in March?? But does this mean cut all stems to say 4 inches from the ground. Also I’ve had my hydrangeas, witch are now sprouting new leafs as I only have just deadheaaed last years flowers and my smabuca black lace has also started to sprout new buds when should I be feeding them if I need to at all they was planted with root grow and mulched in winter

Cambridgerose12 · February 2021

Hydrangea: it's best not to prune dead heads until around April (depending on where you are) to prevent the new buds from being frosted, which means you would lose all your flowers. As you've already done it, just keep an eye on the weather forecast; a bit of horticultural fleece thrown over the plants should help if there is another cold snap. Assuming yours are mopheads, they are generous feeders and like the same sort of diet as roses and tomatoes.

Buddleja: can be pruned down as you suggest, but I would prune more lightly this year as you have only recently planted. The heavier the prune, the larger the flower heads will be. Personally I don't always prune that hard; there's a slight risk the new growth will be top-heavy. You can prune at different lengths and get flowers in succession

Sambucus: both this and the Buddleja are tough plants and shouldn't need a lot of tlc other than any necessary pruning, but again, you ought probably to let them get established for at least another year before doing this. With elders, if you prune now you'll lose the flowers, so best wait until after flowering. If you do give fertiliser, choose something low in nitrogen.

Leeendean · February 2021

Cambridgerose12 said:

Hydrangea: it's best not to prune dead heads until around April (depending on where you are) to prevent the new buds from being frosted, which means you would lose all your flowers. As you've already done it, just keep an eye on the weather forecast; a bit of horticultural fleece thrown over the plants should help if there is another cold snap. Assuming yours are mopheads, they are generous feeders and like the same sort of diet as roses and tomatoes.

Buddleja: can be pruned down as you suggest, but I would prune more lightly this year as you have only recently planted. The heavier the prune, the larger the flower heads will be. Personally I don't always prune that hard; there's a slight risk the new growth will be top-heavy. You can prune at different lengths and get flowers in succession

Sambucus: both this and the Buddleja are tough plants and shouldn't need a lot of tlc other than any necessary pruning, but again, you ought probably to let them get established for at least another year before doing this. With elders, if you prune now you'll lose the flowers, so best wait until after flowering. If you do give fertiliser, choose something low in nitrogen.

Ok thank you. I’m in Essex so it’s not forecast for that much cold weather overnight lows of 4 degrees I wish I never pruned them now as I hope this doesn’t cause them problems, all part of learning I suppose. I have tomatoe right liquid ferterliser would that be on for the hydrangeas. I have mop head and paniculutu and as for the black lace and my silver I will not prune this year and just let them grow. Thank you for your help

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