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Overgrown hebe

LindaZtf1vEhgLindaZtf1vEhg Posts: 2
in Problem solving
My Hebe is too large after years and years of not pruning it (only recently got into gardening!). The problem is it is grown around a small fence that needs removing and replacing. How do I cut it back? As you can see from the photo I cut a little back to see what happened, and now I'm realising that just left dead wood. There's only a few inches of green leaves. Any ideas? 


Posts

  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    I would try taking some cuttings and start again.  You could cut it back hard but it might die back, they can be a bit on the tender side. I would wait until April if you do want to try cutting it back hard. 
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    As explained, Hebe shrubs do not always respond to pruning back into wood that is over a 1cm in thickness. It's a shrub that requires little and often soft tip pruning to keep its vigour and shape. But, if it is too big, it's best to take the risk and prune back in late spring. Leave the areas you have pruned for now and wait to see how it responds.

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    My approach would be to shear the whole thing over, dibble the cuttings direct into the ground in a shady spot, and pull up and discard the mother plant.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • LindaZtf1vEhgLindaZtf1vEhg Posts: 2
    Thank you so much for the useful responses. I was worried it might be the end for the plant! 

    Also having to Google what 'dibble' means...
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