My Hebe is looking pretty leggy, brown and a bit sad. Does is need pruning, and if so how and when? I’ve not done much pruning on it previously (down to be an enthusiastic but rather novice gardener). All advice welcome on pruning herbs.
I'm afraid that looks too late for pruning. Many people have lost Hebes this winter as conditions haven't been suitable for them. Wet cold isn't great for them anyway, and wet cold followed by freezing and thawing is even worse.
Ideally, they should be trimmed after flowering to keep them happy, and not all will recover from hard pruning anyway, even if done in late spring or summer. I think you'd be better waiting to see if there's any new growth low down and take a view on it then. Even so, it may not recover well.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Neil81B Sadly I agree with everything that@Fairygirl has said. If it is dead an opportunity to plant something new never a bad thing, if you want another Hebe you will need to consider if it worth while. Getting the exact growing conditions full sun and good drainage is important to their survival in a cold winter.
It would be interesting to know how many Hebes are sold in the UK each year. Most gardeners will have grown them. Perhaps an alternative is needed if you have a clay soil. As we all know theb weather is becoming more unpredictable.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Thank you very much for the replies. I fear it might have had its day. This is the shady side of the garden and clay like soil so probably not the best for hebes. Any suggestions for what might work better also appreciated. Chipsets seems to grow pretty well.
I was in B&Q on Friday, and the outdoor plant area was full of Hebes, Pittospormums, Cordylines and Phormiums. Looks like they're expecting lots of people to be replacing plants that have died over the winter (or maybe they always sell loads of that sort of thing in early spring).
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
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Many people have lost Hebes this winter as conditions haven't been suitable for them. Wet cold isn't great for them anyway, and wet cold followed by freezing and thawing is even worse.
Ideally, they should be trimmed after flowering to keep them happy, and not all will recover from hard pruning anyway, even if done in late spring or summer.
I think you'd be better waiting to see if there's any new growth low down and take a view on it then. Even so, it may not recover well.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
It would be interesting to know how many Hebes are sold in the UK each year. Most gardeners will have grown them. Perhaps an alternative is needed if you have a clay soil.
As we all know theb weather is becoming more unpredictable.