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Reduce size of these shrubs by half?

MissRobboMissRobbo Posts: 12
in Plants


Hello,

I would like to reduce the overall size of these shrubs by at least half, would this be possible this time of year or should I wait?  They have been quite neglected over the years and have taken over the bed beneath. So much so I didn't realise there were spring bulbs growing below.  There used to also be lavender growing in there but completely died off now.

Any advice would be much appreciated.


Posts

  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    Both of these shrubs grow very large...space is small.
    Left... looks to be a Photinia. Which can eventually grow into a tree.
    Right.... Pieris. Also grows big.

    Maybe now is the time to decide whether they are the right plant for the space.
    You might be better to remove both completely and plant a single well behaved dwarf/small  shrub in the space.
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • MissRobboMissRobbo Posts: 12
    Thank you for your swift response @Silver surfer

    Although I do agree, I'm very reluctant to remove them completely. They have both been in this small bed for at least 20 years and I do really like them there, my father used to regularly prune them but since he has been gone they have just been left, If I was to drastically prune them, would they not survive?
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Both your shrubs produce attractive new leaves in spring so pruning them now will remove these and potential flowering. However, if you don't mind losing these for a year you can prune them both to suit the location better, although they are not in the best place as @Silver surfer has mentioned. Try taking about six inches off the overall height initially then a bit more until you are happy with the shape. They are both tough shrubs and should recover well. Adding some blood fish and bone and an organic mulch will also help them. My father grew both these shrubs in his garden and they survived his enthusiastic pruning!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • MissRobboMissRobbo Posts: 12
    Thank you @Plantminded, I will follow your advice with fish blood and bone and a little at a time until happy.  I'm more than happy to lose the flowers this year.  The idea is to recover a little light and space at the front of the bed going forward, and I will definitely keep on top of it in future.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I would probably remove those spring bulbs too @MissRobbo so that you can mulch the whole bed with a thickness of about 2 inches of organic matter. It's best to mulch when the soil is damp, so wait until after some rain!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • MissRobboMissRobbo Posts: 12
    @Plantminded I had never noticed the bulbs before through all the years my family have lived here, was rather looking forward to seeing what they were over the coming weeks. is there a chance I could mulch and feed the base of the shrubs until I dig up the bulbs later on to move?
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Yes, that will be fine @MissRobbo. If you haven’t noticed them before they may have become non flowering or blind, but there’s no harm in mulching around them and waiting to see what happens.  I hope you are pleasantly surprised!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


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