Smaller leaved Hebe's like to be cut back in stages or they will die in total or parts of.
Best time to prune is from spring time when the shrub is starting to spurt new growth and I prune well into the summer months when the shrub is in its full growth cycle.
Start by cutting one third of the leaf growth, so that you leave some growing leaves on the stems. Wait for the new buds to show further back onto the old wood which is presently bare.
When the new buds are growing, you can then cut back again to just above the new buds. Carry on doing this until you have the shrub the size you want and the bare, inner part of the shrub is starting to fill out again.
Add some fertiliser to the base
Do not just hack away to old wood or it will not forgive you
I was a complete muppet and pruned back a small leaved white flowering Hebe last week. I left the main body untouched but cut out sideways growth just above the base as it was invading the rest of the patch. I took out about 1/3 of it in total. Is there anything I can do to make it a happy hebe again?
This is really helpful - I have a very leggy hebe and wondered how to prune it. I do have the RHS guide to pruning but couldn't find any specific help on Hebe care. Thanks for all your contributions!
We inherited numbers of small-leaf hebes (white flowers), which were, effectively, being used as ground-cover in a wilderness, 30 years ago, and my wife has planted some large-leaf (purple) ones. The large-leaf do have a tendency to straggle and need regular tidying and pruning. Everything (even the contradictory things) which has been said here about the small-leaf varieties we have found to be the case PLUS cutting them hard back if they are oppressing other shrubs usually works (there can be severe die-back), but the temptation is then to forget about them as they slowly recover, until suddenly you find you've got the same big green ball, squashing other things. Also, old clumps can rot-out from the centre, I think because their natural habit is to spread outwards via rooting branches. Getting into the centre and removing all the rotted roots and branches can work, but sometimes you've just got to cut your losses and admit that the plant has had its time.
I have 2 small leaved hebes which are getting a bit big. They look as if they maybe budding flowers...maybe just new leaves. Is it too late in the year to prune. There is a lot of bare wood underneath about 12 inches of stem with leaves. They are in a very prominent position so I don't want them to look too ugly if I cut back to bare wood on a portion of the bush. So any advice ? I was thinking of cutting back all over about 6 inches and waiting for shoots to appear and leaf lower down, then prune again. However I guess this will mean missing a full season of flowering. Does this matter ?
I have 2 small leaved hebes which are getting a bit big. They look as if they maybe budding flowers...maybe just new leaves. Is it too late in the year to prune. There is a lot of bare wood underneath about 12 inches of stem with leaves. They are in a very prominent position so I don't want them to look too ugly if I cut back to bare wood on a portion of the bush. So any advice ? I was thinking of cutting back all over about 6 inches and waiting for shoots to appear and leaf lower down, then prune again. However I guess this will mean missing a full season of flowering. Does this matter ?
Help! I have a small leaved hebe which is thriving except the lack of flowers. The flowers which are there are beautiful but not all over. How can I get more flowers? It would be ideal for my granddaughter's wedding next year.
What type of Hebe do you have. Is it the Albicans? If it's flowering now, leave it until it's finished flowering, you may prune down to the shape you desire. Hebes are very woody not far in, so be careful not to over prune them as they may take ages to recover. Try to make sure the plant is in sun and the soil is quite free draining. Although the roots can settle into clay type soil, the surface should be dry, so nice chip bark mulch would be ideal.
A picture would help because it's important to see if there may be more flowers on the way. It may not be patchy, it may be starting to flower now. Patchy flowers could be down to uneven pruning in the past.
We grow hebes at the edge of the patio , overlooking a lower garden . We would like to maintain the height at circa 0.5M . They are beautiful and busy now , about 2 years old . Any taller and they start to obscure the view of the rest of the garden
Hints on best maintenance/pruning routine greatly appreciated .
Posts
Smaller leaved Hebe's like to be cut back in stages or they will die in total or parts of.
Best time to prune is from spring time when the shrub is starting to spurt new growth and I prune well into the summer months when the shrub is in its full growth cycle.
Start by cutting one third of the leaf growth, so that you leave some growing leaves on the stems. Wait for the new buds to show further back onto the old wood which is presently bare.
When the new buds are growing, you can then cut back again to just above the new buds. Carry on doing this until you have the shrub the size you want and the bare, inner part of the shrub is starting to fill out again.
Add some fertiliser to the base
Do not just hack away to old wood or it will not forgive you
I was a complete muppet and pruned back a small leaved white flowering Hebe last week. I left the main body untouched but cut out sideways growth just above the base as it was invading the rest of the patch. I took out about 1/3 of it in total. Is there anything I can do to make it a happy hebe again?
This is really helpful - I have a very leggy hebe and wondered how to prune it. I do have the RHS guide to pruning but couldn't find any specific help on Hebe care. Thanks for all your contributions!
We inherited numbers of small-leaf hebes (white flowers), which were, effectively, being used as ground-cover in a wilderness, 30 years ago, and my wife has planted some large-leaf (purple) ones. The large-leaf do have a tendency to straggle and need regular tidying and pruning. Everything (even the contradictory things) which has been said here about the small-leaf varieties we have found to be the case PLUS cutting them hard back if they are oppressing other shrubs usually works (there can be severe die-back), but the temptation is then to forget about them as they slowly recover, until suddenly you find you've got the same big green ball, squashing other things. Also, old clumps can rot-out from the centre, I think because their natural habit is to spread outwards via rooting branches. Getting into the centre and removing all the rotted roots and branches can work, but sometimes you've just got to cut your losses and admit that the plant has had its time.
I have 2 small leaved hebes which are getting a bit big. They look as if they maybe budding flowers...maybe just new leaves. Is it too late in the year to prune. There is a lot of bare wood underneath about 12 inches of stem with leaves. They are in a very prominent position so I don't want them to look too ugly if I cut back to bare wood on a portion of the bush. So any advice ? I was thinking of cutting back all over about 6 inches and waiting for shoots to appear and leaf lower down, then prune again. However I guess this will mean missing a full season of flowering. Does this matter ?
Many thanks for any advice.
Last edited: 18 May 2017 16:24:10
Help! I have a small leaved hebe which is thriving except the lack of flowers. The flowers which are there are beautiful but not all over. How can I get more flowers? It would be ideal for my granddaughter's wedding next year.
What type of Hebe do you have. Is it the Albicans? If it's flowering now, leave it until it's finished flowering, you may prune down to the shape you desire. Hebes are very woody not far in, so be careful not to over prune them as they may take ages to recover. Try to make sure the plant is in sun and the soil is quite free draining. Although the roots can settle into clay type soil, the surface should be dry, so nice chip bark mulch would be ideal.
A picture would help because it's important to see if there may be more flowers on the way. It may not be patchy, it may be starting to flower now. Patchy flowers could be down to uneven pruning in the past.
We grow hebes at the edge of the patio , overlooking a lower garden . We would like to maintain the height at circa 0.5M . They are beautiful and busy now , about 2 years old . Any taller and they start to obscure the view of the rest of the garden
Hints on best maintenance/pruning routine greatly appreciated .