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Pruning a straggly Choisya Aztec Pearl

FoxwillowFoxwillow Posts: 50
in Problem solving
After removing the lower branches of a conifer, we have found this very bent over and straggly Choisya.  There is no upward growth currently.  Is there any hope of it growing more normally if pruned?  If so, where would be the best places to cut, should I do it now, and should I do it all at once?  

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  • WonkyWombleWonkyWomble Posts: 4,541
    Could you stake it upright? They are beautiful shrubs with amazing perfume that bees love. I would improve the soil and it will need regular water as the roots of the removed plant will have deprived it from moisture and nutrients. Now that's gone it will grow to the light.



  • FoxwillowFoxwillow Posts: 50
    I think it’s probably too far gone for staking. It’s been hidden for at least 6 years. It’s surprising it has as much growth as it has given it has been smothered.  There’s a Choisya Sundance about 10 feet away which is very happily growing so they must like the soil (I think it was essentially the compost heap). 
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    The best time to prune them is directly after flowering. Mine is just about to flower now. If yours shows no signs of flowering, then I would cut it back hard now, leaving perhaps 4-5 inches above the ground. 

    I would give it a mulch of well rotted manure, or garden compost, and water and feed it regularly over the next few months, to encourage fresh growth. The ground under the conifer is likely to be very dry and low in nutrients, but if it managed to put on the growth shown above, then I see no reason why it shouldn't survive there, especially as it has more light now.

    Some people prune them hard every Spring, as they put on so much fresh growth every year.


  • FoxwillowFoxwillow Posts: 50
    I’ll check for flowers. 4-5 inches - gulp.  That is a kill or cure option 😊. Feeding is a necessity though, I agree. 
  • frankrennie52frankrennie52 Posts: 1
    These are tough plants. I pruned two of mine hard back and in no time there was new growth shooting out. Be brave. 😉
  • FoxwillowFoxwillow Posts: 50
    I’ve checked and there are flower buds forming so it has a reprieve for the moment - then the big chop!
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