I've just moved my shrub from a large pot to plant in my garden, and discovered that it had put out a very large root that I unfortunately damaged in removing from the pot. The top 1/4 of the plant is now very floppy. Should I prune it back a third, or leave it till the autumn to prune?
Normally, I would say yes, prune back. But without seeing the size it's difficult to judge. Water your shrub in very well and continue to water it every other day as the weather will be warming up considerably right now. If the branches at the tips continue to flop over the next week, then just cut it back.
I normally hard prune mine now, but it didn't grow as much as usual last year because it was warm and dry so I think I'll leave it and see if it has more flowers than usual.
It did have more flowers, loads of them. But then we had a drought in the hot summer and I was away some of the time so it lost a few branches. I cut them off, but nothing else and it's flowering again, but not so bushy.
Last year -
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Normally, I would say yes, prune back. But without seeing the size it's difficult to judge. Water your shrub in very well and continue to water it every other day as the weather will be warming up considerably right now. If the branches at the tips continue to flop over the next week, then just cut it back.
Thank you for this - I'll see how it is next week then before doing anything else drastic. I'll add a photo next if I need any further help.
Has anyone used the flowers for cordial? Does it taste just the same as the ordinary hedgerow elderflower cordial? Thinking of having a go this year...
Is there a “too late” time to prune in spring? I would like to encourage leaf growth on a black lace that I’ve never hard pruned. It’s always been so so and pretty thin.
I moved it last fall and think it is in a better location now. There are buds or rather small leaves starting to pop out. If I prune now (mid April in Philadelphia) would it encourage the growth folks are talking about in here? Or will it just be a smaller version of its usual self and should I wait for earlier next spring? I’d love to get a larger, bushier look for it. I care less about the flowers. Still a newbie and never seem to get the timing right for pruning ☺️
Depends on the size of your current shrub now. If you want bushier growth, you should prune them more, but I found these shrubs quite delicate and quite slow growing. Perhaps, that may be due to the fact that my plant was still quite young. Sadly don't grow them now but imagine if it's quite a reasonable age, they may grow back faster.
I have a Sambucus nigra 'Black Beauty'. I trimmed it quite hard last year. It has grown well again. Then somebody told me I should have cut it back to about 12 inches above ground! Is this not rather harsh?
I was alarmed today when I came on this site and found out that it is a TREE, not a shrub as i thought, and might grow to 7m! I thought it was a 'Black Lace' and would grow to about 2 m high. So, do I cut it right back after flowering and berries this year? When? What do you suggest to keep both height and spread down, please? TIA
Posts
It did have more flowers, loads of them. But then we had a drought in the hot summer and I was away some of the time so it lost a few branches. I cut them off, but nothing else and it's flowering again, but not so bushy.
Last year -
I was alarmed today when I came on this site and found out that it is a TREE, not a shrub as i thought, and might grow to 7m! I thought it was a 'Black Lace' and would grow to about 2 m high. So, do I cut it right back after flowering and berries this year? When? What do you suggest to keep both height and spread down, please? TIA