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Mahonia massacre

UrbanNoviceUrbanNovice Posts: 29
in Problem solving
Slugs/snails devoured all the tender new leaves on my small but growing Mahonia X media (photo). Should I leave it be, or snip off the top stem or cut off the partially eaten parts? Thanks.


Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I'd snip them off to tidy it up and then let it be.  It will re-grow.   I have one that lost its head when a branch fell off it in a storm.  I cleaned up that wound and it's done well since.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - not really a great problem other than cosmetic. 
    Mahonias can benefit from a good hacking back anyway, when they get a bit big for the space, or are looking a bit rough, so cutting off ragged stems does no harm.
    The only problem you might have is that there's not a lot of room for it to grow to full potential there. Most of the media mahonias become very large shrubs.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • UrbanNoviceUrbanNovice Posts: 29

    Thanks both. I'll have a bit of a trim.

    @Fairygirl: You are right about the tight space and it's actually in a planter which I've read is a no-no for Mahonias too. I was trying to make a lush evergreen planter in a position of constant shade. I would have liked to have had hostas but every one I have ever bought has been savaged by gastropods. I read that Mahonias were as tough as old boots and shade tolerant too so thought I would give it a go.
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