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How to prune pleached prunus novita

qthisupqthisup Posts: 16
in Plants
Hello
we planted these this past spring. Sun and drought has browned the leaves a bit but fair bit of new vertical growth etc. I’m not sure how and when to go about pruning them? Any advice appreciated! Should I tie back the growth coming out so that those branches go more side to side in line with the pleach?  Thanks 

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Don’t prune any prunus at this time of year. Only Pune when the sap is rising and they’re in active growth … May/June is ideal … otherwise you are inviting Silverleaf infection. 


    When it is time to prune I would shorten all branches growing in the wrong direction, cutting back to three nodes … this will encourage sideshoots and bushier growth. 

    I would cut back other branches by one third. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    edited September 2022
    Just to clarify for others. ..full name is  

    Prunus laurocerasus 'Novita'/

    .
    So evergreen cherry laurel

    Quote RHS re trimming...

    "1. Early flowering evergreen shrubs (Pruning group 8)

    Timing: Prune immediately after flowering.
    Examples: Berberis, box (Buxus), Camellia, Ceanothus, Choisya, Daphne, Hypericum, laurel (Prunus laurocerasus and Prunus lusitanica), Mahonia, Pieris, Azalea (Rhododendron), Rhododendron, Viburnum tinus.
    Pruning: Winter, spring and early summer-flowering evergreens such as Rhododendron and Camellia are best left unpruned except for removal of unsightly shoots and "




    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited September 2022
    Ah … not ‘prunus’ as such then … my misunderstanding … in too much of a rush … sorry. Ignore the Silverleaf stuff. 

     

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • qthisupqthisup Posts: 16
    Apologies I should have posted the entire name! To clarify if I may, the new shoots are actually in flower at the moment, so I can/should lightly trim those back and tie in where needed this month to allow to harden off prior to frosts? (Location a sheltered London garden). Or wait until next spring post flowering? With thanks! 
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