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Shrub ID - Best time for harsh cut back??
Sarahfoxglove
Posts: 5
Hello guys. Would really appreciate your help!
Full sun front garden with hedges most of the way round and large trees. I'm wanting to open the space back up by cutting the hedges right back.
These were planted by previous owners so not sure what they are. They have only ever been lightly trimmed. We would like to cut the hedges right back to 1ft to allow for summer growth next year.
Ideally would love to cut it back now as looks a bit of a mess, chance to clear the Ivy away which is growing round the base, and thin the hedges out.
Is it ok for me to crack on and cut away now? Or should I hold on and leave for later in the year?
Thank you!
0
Posts
As the temperatures are still quite mild I think I'd wait a bit - cutting back now might stimulate fresh new growth which could then be damaged by hard frosts in the winter (if we get any). That would be a waste of the plants' energy.
Think I'd do it in November/December.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Sarah, you've got a berberis(purple one) and laurel. Berberis is best pruned in spring as you'll get the benefit of the colour all winter, a light trim at most. The laurel you can trim up now, but growth is starting to slow in most shrubs now, so a light trim is best just to keep the shape.
Next spring you can cut it right back if required same with the berberis as the late summer/winter colour will be produced on the new growth.
I'd leave a major job on both till spring, the laurel will come back faster than the berberis which will take time.
Sorry ti disagree with Dove but my experience of both shrubs has proved different.
No probs Dave
- I said November/December 'cos I thought she was itching to get on with it .................... and I'd want to get it done before the beginning of the nesting season so must be finished by mid Feb at the latest.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I've got the berberis but as it isn't part of a hedge, I just trim when it gets to snagging clothes on the path length. I have a vicious bush, abit like gorse that I trim a lot as it sends up new growth constantly and I worry about it catching anyone on the face.
Thank you so much for your replies, really helpful!!
I have a beautiful Barbaris in my garden. Or what was a beautiful Barbaris. Unfriendly winds got the better of it this year, it grows at an angle as it was planted on a sloping bank and several batterings of the wind later it was almost touching the ground it had leaned so much so unfortunately I had to give it a really harsh cut back, I'm just hoping it still gives me some of that glorious pink colour next year
Berberis gives me a worse reaction when I stab myself with it than any other spiny shrub, and they do have a heck of a lot of spines. I wouldn't have it anywhere where children have access. They're lovely coloured shrubs, though.
I'm often trimming the berberis back as the thorns are rather nasty, and its right by a footpath so means I miss the lovely colour, so will take the helpful advice and give it a harsh cut back early Feb, so fingers crossed I can actually benefit from the lovely shades next year ????