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Leggy Mahonia?

so.phieso.phie Posts: 20
in Plants
Hello,

We have inherited an untamed mahonia in our garden. It has bare branches over 1.5m tall and then a clump of leaves on top that go way above our garden fence. I assume this is what is referred to as 'leggy' though I am new to gardening terms.

I like the plant, as do the birds, so I would like to keep it. I also like the timing of the flowers.

How do I go about cutting it back? Ideally it wouldn't be taller than the fence and would not have bare branches but be more shrub like as it currently has the appearance of a tree! Is this something that sounds possible?

Thank you.

Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    you can remove some of the stems to about 12" and they'll grow back, giving some foliage lower down, do this in over 2 or 3 years and you'll have much more balance.
    Devon.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I have one that I keep under strict control.
    It gets to about 5ft in 2 years then I cut it all back almost to the ground - and repeat every 2-3 years.
    I only get flowers now and then though, but at least it stays smallish

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Not sure I would tackle this spikey job just yet but in the next few weeks.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd do as @Hostafan1 describes. Less of a shock to it, although they're very tough. It'll be beneficial to it, as it rejuvenates them completely    :)
    You can do it any time as long as the weather suits. If you have lots of heavy frost due, wait until it's a bit milder. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • so.phieso.phie Posts: 20
    Brilliant advice everyone, thank you. Good to know it won't mind a bit of a chop too.
  • CloggieCloggie Posts: 1,457
    I have one that I researched when I moved in and found spread = unlimited!  Crumbs I thought.  It hadn't been tackled by the previous owners so I gave it a good haircut.  What I found is that it burns really well - like blackberry canes do - lots of oil possibly? It crackles and the stems give off a yellow juice.   Anyway, it is back the same size and we've been here 8 years.  I don't like the brown undergrowth that's exposed when you cut it back but that is soon replaced by new spiky flowerheads that smell lovely.  I'm a timid pruner by nature but recalling this has made me realise another rejuvenation is needed.  I'd say after flowering has finished, give it a good prune and I will do my best to follow my own advice! 😁
  • CloggieCloggie Posts: 1,457
    Oh mine's less leggy, rather congested.  Lots of activity on the end of lots of long legs.  Not sure if that will help, ask if not.  Happy to provide pics.
  • parrotfeather*parrotfeather* Posts: 188
    I prune my Mahonias every year after flowering and cut some stems back quite low, almost to ground level.  This keeps them bushy and a manageable size and does not seem to affect flowering.
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    This is all good to know as I’ve just planted two. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I only prune mine occasionally, as they form part of the boundary - and it's therefore a wind filter. 
    They're very good for that. Mitigates winds quite a bit    :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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