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Hard pruning potentilla

turmericturmeric Posts: 830
in Plants
Hello, I pruned my potentilla a few years ago and it died on me. My friend needs to reduce hers from about 4ft wide as it’s getting out of hand. Can she take a good 18 inches off all over? Google searches say they can be hard pruned to near ground level if necessary but that wasn’t my experience when I took a foot off mine. Any thoughts? 

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  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    I had to prune one quite hard, but only on one side (it was overhanging some steps).  It survived, and grew more bushy.  But I don't have experience of really hard pruning of the whole shrub.  They are usually pretty tough though.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I've hard pruned them without any problem. I presume it's the fruticosa ones we're talking about here?
    If you're concerned, she can do part of it each year over three years. That's a standard way of doing many shrubs successfully, but one that size shouldn't be too badly affected by a haircut of that amount  :)
    I have to do the same with one that overhangs my front path @Liriodendron, and it's a shame that it's been planted where it is. It's actually in the neighbouring garden, and there's a spot down at the gate where there's plenty of room for it to grow happily. It's a really nice colour too - a pale lemon. I hate having to do it, because it looks dreadful, but it would block my whole path otherwise.  :/
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Potentilla fruticosa  can look very brown and untidy at this time of year, especially if it is surrounded by lots of spring foliage. If it is pruned right at the start as a young plant that seems to work but you can never rule out a casualty. As it starts to shoot cut back the stems a little below each flower cluster of flowers, do this every year. Planting a dark orange with a soft peach is a lovely combo.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • turmericturmeric Posts: 830
    Thank you to everyone.  My friend has only just taken over the garden and I think the previous owner planted things and then didn't keep on top of any shaping/pruning hence the size of the potentillas.  They're really prominent in the garden and are repeated throughout so if she killed them it would have a big impact on the overall look of the garden but as you say Fairygirl, many of them are growing over pathways or steps so something has to be done.  I'll pass on all of the comments and hope it gives her the confidence to be a bit drastic..!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If there are lots of them [I thought it was just one shrub] that does make a difference, but perhaps she would consider removing some and having some other planting. Perhaps if one or two don't survive, the option would be made for her anyway   ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • turmericturmeric Posts: 830
    Her hand might definitely be forced Fairygirl, thanks.  She and I saw online that they should really be pruned after flowering, so late summer (ie. not now!) but they're so big and, as GardenerSuze said, they look so brown and unattractive right now that the temptation to get her hedgetrimmers out is enormous.  We'll see....
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Some of them continue flowering well into autumn, so it's often a case of doing it when it suits you, rather than when the books say so  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • turmericturmeric Posts: 830
    That's why I ask the experts on here. :)
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