I think there is a lot to be said for waiting to see how well a young plant grows before you prune hard. I have a couple of these and they are very pretty but they are never cut back and haven't reached anything like eight feet in five to eight years. My garden is very windy and the shrubs all tend to be kept small by the salty blast. I have a smoke bush - another candidate for cutting back hard - but after more than ten years it is still only four feet high with light pruning.....
Interesting read this old thread. I've been considering getting a "black lace" since seeing the foliage of a fantastic one on another thread last year. Having a small garden has been holding me back from making a rash purchase, but hard pruning sounds promising.
Not sure about the smell though. Is it very strong?
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Do you have any pictures of the plant after pruning? I am not sure how to cut it back. Thanks in advance
Last edited: 25 March 2017 19:52:28
You can cut it back to just above any pair of buds, as low or as high as you like
In the sticks near Peterborough
Thank you very much
I think there is a lot to be said for waiting to see how well a young plant grows before you prune hard. I have a couple of these and they are very pretty but they are never cut back and haven't reached anything like eight feet in five to eight years. My garden is very windy and the shrubs all tend to be kept small by the salty blast. I have a smoke bush - another candidate for cutting back hard - but after more than ten years it is still only four feet high with light pruning.....
Interesting read this old thread. I've been considering getting a "black lace" since seeing the foliage of a fantastic one on another thread last year. Having a small garden has been holding me back from making a rash purchase, but hard pruning sounds promising.
Not sure about the smell though
. Is it very strong?
It only smells when you cut it. It's just elder, like in the hedgerows, but with lacy leaves, same stink
In the sticks near Peterborough
I don't think I've ever smelt an elder nut. Forgive my ignorance
.
It was the "cat pee" comment that made me think twice.
I've smelt that
If you can stand it for a few minutes every year for pruning, cat pee or whatever, you'll be OK Kitty. It's not that bad, or so my OH says.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Thanks nut
. I'm normally due for a chauffer driven trip to the GC in the old banger around this time of year 
It's on my shopping list.