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How far to prune out of control Hebe

FairyJennetFairyJennet Posts: 46
in Problem solving
Hi
I need to prune this Hebe. If I cut it right back will it shoot from the older wood?

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It might, is the best answer  :)
    If you want to hedge your bets [pardon the pun!] do some of the stems right back, and see how they cope. 
    Many shrubs are done that way for rejuvenation, or if they're too big. You cut back around a third of them the first year, then the other two thirds over the two subsequent years.
    Your climate is also a factor. Many of them don't respond well in cold wet areas. If you do it through late spring/summer, there's a better chance of the wood hardening off well enough.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
    I’ve got cuttings of Hebes to root in water. Maybe you could start a few as backups. I don’t know how to do other sorts of cuttings.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    You may find some seedlings underneath the Hebe it's self. It is obviously happy if it's size is anything to go by. I would assume you live in the south or by the sea?  It will shoot from older wood but not all stems will necessarily recover. A slow regeneration as explained would be best given it's size and age. Hebes can take 18 months to regrow well from being pruned.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairyJennetFairyJennet Posts: 46
    Thank you so much for your advice. We are in Essex.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Not so likely to be bothered by cold, wet conditions there, so that makes it easier  :)
    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
    @Fairygirl Think this is the biggest Hebe I have ever seen obviously happy.
    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've seen quite a few sizeable ones, but it's certainly a very big specimen!
    There are so many varieties, and growing conditions can vary so much, that eventual sizes can be considerable in the right spot.  :)
    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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