Does cutting older "hardwood" stems mean they will not grow back?

lukebennettgbdf9-6AaB · March 2023

I'm not sure if this is the correct category, so please let me know if it isn't.

I have a Wisteria that I have been looking after over the past year, this year I have given it a proper tidy up, and tied it in much better as it was coming away from the wall in parts, and looked very messy with many old whippy shoots growing rampantly in all directions.

I was wondering as I was cutting, if I prune the larger stems, will they grow back, some of these are perhaps 10mm-20mm in diameter, and I have a larger one at about 50mm in diameter.

Any information would be appreciated, I love learning new things, and I'm really enjoying gardening!

Lyn · March 2023

I only cut back the whippy bits in summer and just trim the remainder back in March to a few buds, I’ve never cut any branches back, this will bump your query up to the top as you’ve gone over the page, there are people very knowledgeable with these. @Obelixx

lukebennettgbdf9-6AaB · March 2023

Thank you for your help @Lyn

Obelixx · March 2023

Hi @lukebennettgbdf9-6AaB We have inherited two large wisterias and planted a third in a different part of the garden.

Like @Lyn I cut back the long whippy growths in summer but in winter, when I can see the structure, I send OH up a ladder to cut back teh stems heading up behind gutters or over the roof. I have cut back some thicker stems to re-shape and thin the growth.

They do get replaced eventually as younger stems thicken up over the years and start to branch off. If you don't want that just cut them back. I do find I get new buds and shoots coming from the main stems after each pruning and we have to wipe or cut those off as I want the main stems to remain bare as one is by a door and the other has plants below that need some light.

Does cutting older "hardwood" stems mean they will not grow back?

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