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Cotoneaster hedge

Wonky LegsWonky Legs Posts: 22
in Plants

Hello all,

Im currently house sitting for my Sister and thought I would get the garden done for them whilst they are away. The only thing I am having problems with is how to prune the new front cotoneaster hedge (I use the term hedge loosely).

as you can see its getting height but I want to encourage spread. Is it just a case of pruning some off of the top?

any help would be gratefully recieved. They were bare rooted twigs (for want of a better description) when they were planted last spring.

image

 

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  • cathy43cathy43 Posts: 373
    Taking off the top inch will definitely help them bush out, I am sure someone will be along soon who can tell you if you need to take more off, but I tend to be a bit conservative image
  • Dave MorganDave Morgan Posts: 3,123

    I'd let it grow a bit more before even thinking of doing any cutting. Feed and water them for now, you need height before you'll need width. They'll probably grow another six inches if not a bit more by the time Autumn comes and they slow down. In spring next year you can consider nipping out the leaders to encourage side shoots. I'd say they're still too small to start any training.

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    Sorry Dave but I would have the tops of them now.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Wonky LegsWonky Legs Posts: 22
    Oh crumbs, conflicting advice! I'm dying to cut something off but I'll put the secateurs down and await more replies.



    Thanks for the replies so far.
  • cathy43cathy43 Posts: 373

    How tall do you want the hedge eventually?

  • Wonky LegsWonky Legs Posts: 22
    Not sure Cathy, the parting words were if you can prune that to encourage it to bush out, then do whatever you have to.
  • cathy43cathy43 Posts: 373

    Well once it get bushier your sister can grow it to any height she wants, I would split the difference and at least nip out the tops if the priorty is to get it bushier. You can get the last growth out of the summer to go sideways rather than up

  • Wonky LegsWonky Legs Posts: 22
    Well that sounds like a plan, thank you.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    I think you can snip the tips out, it's not like a conifer where you have to let then get to height first.

    There doesn't look room for a hedge there but maybe its a trick of the camera



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Wonky LegsWonky Legs Posts: 22
    Thanks. It's deceptive, there is plenty of room there.
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