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Pruned Choisa hit by frost!

VickianneVickianne Posts: 7
in Problem solving
Hi I had a large Choisa bush cut back quite brutally in March but it has since been hit by the heavy frost and now looks like a mass of bare twigs although there is some greenery right at back of the bush. I want to know if there is any chance it will come back or should I try and remove more of the bare branches at the front? Any advice appreciated. 

Posts

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    If you have an establish shrub, they should be fine. If it is newly planted, I would wait a bit to see how it performs in the next month. Most shrubs should be putting on growth now, especially when the weather warms up.

    Prune back the branches that have been damaged by frost. I am not sure with your comments on where you are trying to prune, so maybe attach a photo so others can also comment and see how it can be pruned.
  • VickianneVickianne Posts: 7
    Hi thank you that’s really helpful. This is the first time I’ve posted anything on the forum! It is a well established shrub & I’ll try & add a photo now. 
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    Thanks for posting a photo. It's only been a month since you have pruned it. Definitely hang in there and wait. As I mentioned, most shrubs will start to put on growth now as the weather warms up. Also, don't worry by the look of it. Most evergreen shrubs will look like that on the inside so, hopefully, your heavy pruning will trigger side-shoots and re-grow back very soon.


  • VickianneVickianne Posts: 7
    Thank you that’s great news, I was getting a bit worried & wondering if I might have to have the whole bush removed but I’ll hang there now  :)
  • gardenman91gardenman91 Posts: 429
    I’d wait a bit longer @Vickianne as @Borderline suggested. If I recall, Choisyas are hardy but seem prune to frost damage, mine got hit a little bit but is now back with a vengeance 😂 it’s similar with Convolvlus.
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    Hello @Vickianne, I agree with everything said above and am assuming that pruning in March was an essential task to perform. This is the time of year when Choisyas are flowering so you will have lost this years - apart from any that may have survived on shoots you didn't prune. The correct time to prune Choisyas is in June.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • VickianneVickianne Posts: 7
    Hi Ladybird thank you that’s good to know. I just had quite a few taller trees topped in March & at the same time asked them to cut back the Choisa! I’ll try & keep on top of it now & prune in June. 
    Thanks again for all the advice 😊
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    As it's been so dry in most places, I would try giving it a very good watering - 2 or 3 watering cans full. That might help it make new growth.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • VickianneVickianne Posts: 7
    Thanks Lizzie27 will
    do 😊
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