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Philadelphus Renovation Time

nickoslesterosnickoslesteros Posts: 178
in Problem solving
So - the next project on my hands is the Mock Orange. Tall - taller than me, and I'm six foot. Last spring/summer flowered OK ish, but as you can see it's looking fairly twiggy and woody low down. Would this be a similar approach as many recommended I perform with my Forsythia which was to thin out a third of the stems?  It looks fairly congested at the ground, so it could be tricky? Or it is hard renovation time? Love to hear your thoughts. 



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  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Yes, take out the largest and oldest stems down as low as you can, and it will regenerate from the bottom. All other stems that flowered this year, trim back to where new shoots are growing. The new shoots will flower next year.  Its best done straight after flowering in June, but it will survive if you do it now, you just won't get as good a show of flowers next year.
  • nickoslesterosnickoslesteros Posts: 178
    Hi. I took out two of some of the oldest stems, and a few unproductive smaller ones that just went to the top with a few leaves on. I'm worried if I take any more large ones I may be left with a more lanky straggly mess. I have cut out huge volumes of dead twigs from the inside, and it is much more open now. 

    Even found an old abandoned birds nest quite far down.

    What do you think? Keep going ?


  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I know what I do with leggy shrubs and that’s forfeit next years flowers and cut the whole lot back to the ground,  a complete rejuvenation.  It won’t flower next year but will grow into a nice bushy plant, and have more flowers the following year.  I never do the ‘take a third out’  I don’t t like the thinning look.
    But you must do what you think,  and what you like the look of.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • nickoslesterosnickoslesteros Posts: 178
    It's hard to make a call on it. There seems to be lots of lower down growth. I've got a whole garden of things cut back to the ground!!

    Too late in the year for full renovation?
  • nickoslesterosnickoslesteros Posts: 178
    Yeah, I think on balance I'll tidy it up a bit more, mulch and feed and hope it fills out a bit in the new year, then have another go after flowering... maybe take a view then?
  • DaveGreigDaveGreig Posts: 189
    I’d cut it down to below the final size I wanted  and like Lynn forfeit next years flowers. 

    Flowers are great, but at the end of the day they bloom for only around a fortnight of the season. Much more important is the shape and the space the shrub fills all year round. Prune it to shape and view the flowers as a bonus.

  • nickoslesterosnickoslesteros Posts: 178
    So - and sorry for the newbie questions - take off the height of all of the stems I have, as I have thinned it out quite a bit already?
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    DaveGreig said:
    I’d cut it down to below the final size I wanted  and like Lynn forfeit next years flowers. 

    Flowers are great, but at the end of the day they bloom for only around a fortnight of the season. Much more important is the shape and the space the shrub fills all year round. Prune it to shape and view the flowers as a bonus.

    I agree with both Dave & Lyn  flowers are only ephemeral,prune for the structure you need first. Flowers will come later.
    AB Still learning

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I would cut the whole lot down to about a foot or 2 from the ground.  I’m going to do that with one here as soon as it stops raining.
    Same with Hydrangeas but won’t do that until next Spring. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    @nickoslester93f3fKIn. Was it you that I recommended the pruning book too?  
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

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