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Phormium advice

Karenalan81Karenalan81 Posts: 2
in Problem solving
We moved here a couple of years ago and have this in our garden. I've tried to hack away at the dead leaves occasionally but it seems never ending! I can't get on top of it. Just using secateurs. Should I go harsh and cut the whole thing back? Last summer some new leave appeared after I got some dead stuff away. 
Sometimes I think It's totally dead and just needs dug up. I plan to create a rockery to the right of it as those plants aren't to my taste and lots of weeds.

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Karenalan81 I have just spent hours thinning mine out at the base. Eye protection required. If you do decide to to keep it you will need to put time aside to do it a couple of times a year at least. Digging it up will be a huge challenge. Sharpe scissors are another option. You can cut to the ground but it will take a long time to recover
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Karenalan81Karenalan81 Posts: 2
    Thank you! So it's not dead? Do you think I just need to keep chopping dead bit and eventually get it under control? I'll go buy some sharp scissor or something!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If you don't want, or like it, shear it across the bottom and dig it out. A thorough soaking after cutting it back will help, but it'll be hard work. 
    The species ones become huge, and aren't the best thing for most domestic gardens. They need a lot of room, and aren't particularly attractive. The cultivated, named varieties are much nicer, and easier to deal with.  :)
    I use snips for doing all of mine, but I hold stems taut when doing it. Sharp scissors are a good alternative. 
    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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