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Overgrown Hebe, pruning advice.

GraysGrays Posts: 172
in Plants
Hi all,
I have a border with a few very overgrown Hebe’s, I would ideally like to prune them right back quite drastically, but to do that would mean cutting back further down below the leaves and flowers to the bare wood.
Is this advisable? If not, how far back should I prune?
Also, what would be the best time to prune a Hebe?
Hopefully the photo shows how they have got out of control.
Thanks in advance.

Posts

  • GraysGrays Posts: 172
    Really wish I could figure out how to rotate the photos correctly  :(
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199


    As you know it's a forum anomaly Grays. I find the easiest way to reduce a pic, as I've done with yours, is to take a screenshot, crop it to size, rotated it, and then post it. 

    With regard to your question I have 15 or 16 hebes in my garden and I trim them back as and when they need it, no specific time. 
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Many hebes will take very hard cutting back but you can't be sure. They root really easily so it's worth taking a few cuttings to be on the safe side.
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    Wait till it’s stopped flowering then cut it to where you want it . Mine always grows back again 
  • dappledshadedappledshade Posts: 1,017
    My smaller flowered hebe (also smaller overall as shrubs) have not ever liked being cut back into the dead wood - I lightly prune them every year to shape, which over time works to remove the worst of the straggly bits.
    The larger types of hebe which have larger flowers seem to mind less.
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