I just cut mine back (still in pots from the reduced aisle in autumn) to about two buds from the base on each stem. This gives a reserve pair of buds. I gather these will recover well from a hard prune each year.
Ps I did notice as I was pruning that one of them did have one new shoot from the base so I reckon even if you went too far, like a Buddleia it would shoot away vigorously when it's ready 👍
I started cutting back the Perovskia today but got a bit confused! When I have a main stem with lots of sub stems, do I cut the main branch back? If so, where to? Is it the same principle, cut back to 3 sub stems on the main branch and cut each of the remaining sub stems back to 3 buds?
As a general rule of thumb: if you can see buds right down to base of a stem, you're pretty safe to cut back hard. Look at your plant, I'd go to about 4 - 6 inches from the ground.
Will each of those buds grown into a side shoot? Last year was their first year in the ground, planted from 9cm pots, and they seemed a bit "thin", lacking in substance. I'm hoping if all those buds become side shoots they'll bulk up a bit, is that how it works?
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ie everything you see there is new growth
Hi @Hostafan1 and @shane.farrell
I started cutting back the Perovskia today but got a bit confused! When I have a main stem with lots of sub stems, do I cut the main branch back? If so, where to? Is it the same principle, cut back to 3 sub stems on the main branch and cut each of the remaining sub stems back to 3 buds?
Thanks guys
Look at your plant, I'd go to about 4 - 6 inches from the ground.
I think I've done this right!
Will each of those buds grown into a side shoot? Last year was their first year in the ground, planted from 9cm pots, and they seemed a bit "thin", lacking in substance. I'm hoping if all those buds become side shoots they'll bulk up a bit, is that how it works?