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Fuschias and Hebes

gardenman91gardenman91 Posts: 429
edited March 2021 in Plants
Evening all. Hope everyone is well :smile: so I’ve got a fuchsia Delta Sarah, it’s got some roots popping out of the soil (don’t think it was planted deep enough originally), can I top up with top soil or should I just leave it? 

What causes woody growth to die on Fuchsias and Weigelas?

When pruning Hebes, mine is Rose Elegence, can I cut to a pair of leaves even if there is no new growth in the leaf axil?

Sorry for a barrage of questions 😂 

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I would add enough soil or compost to cover up the exposed roots.
    Fuchsias (even hardy ones) usually have some of the top growth killed by frost - anything from just the top few inches in a mild winter here, to right back to the ground in a cold one. Just prune them back to where the new growth comes, or lower if you like.
    Weigela are bone-hardy for me so I don't know what would cause die-back, other than perhaps damage to the bark. You can trim off any dead bits but if they need more pruning, the right time is straight after the flowers fade.
    Hebes don't always respond well to pruning, but you could try if it's got unbearably leggy.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • gardenman91gardenman91 Posts: 429
    @JennyJ Oh ok so with regards to Fucshias I’m over worrying I think 😂

    Well the weigela (nine is Weigela florida ‘Monet’) has got some growth on it, they do tolerate hard pruning I think? 

    As for the Hebe, I won’t prune very hard but didn’t know if there had to be new growth at a leaf axil when pruning to it?

    Thanks Jenny :)
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Fuchsia, yes, there's already new growth at the base in your pic.
    Weigela, again yes but prune straight after flowering. That will give it time to put on new growth that will flower next year.
    Hebe, I don't have a lot of success with. In theory there are dormant buds in the leaf axils and pruning just above should stimulate growth. In practice sometimes they just sulk and don't grow back.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
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