Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Overgrown hebe

Poly-anthusPoly-anthus Posts: 154
in Problem solving

I had a large sprawling hebe in the front garden.  Sorry, don't know the name - it's one with small leaves and little blue flowers.  Latterly it was covering quite a large area, but with the growth only at the end of bare branches.  I decided to scalp it image, and all that remains now is a clump of dead looking brown twigs.  Digging it out would be a nightmare.  The roots will be totally entwined with the surrounding shrubs.  Do you think there's any chance it'll produce new shoots, or will I have to get it out as best I can?   Thanks for any thoughts.

 

Posts

  • LoganLogan Posts: 2,532
    With hebes it's best to do it gradually cut back three stems when they start to shoot cut back 3 more stems that way it won't be a shock.I don't know what you can do now,maybe somebody else will come along and sayimage
  • Poly-anthusPoly-anthus Posts: 154

    Thanks so much for your prompt reply Verdun.  You've just confirmed what I thought.  Looks like I'll just have to do the best I can to get it out.  I'll probably have to leave quite a lot of cut-off roots in the ground.  Will they just eventually die off? 

  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    It may come again, I would wait for the spring. I cut 3 hebes well back two years ago and one resprouted well, The other 2 didn't! All in different parts of the garden. So, fingers crossed.
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • jo4eyesjo4eyes Posts: 2,058

    If you'd not already done the deed I'd have advised wait until early May, depending on whereabouts in UK you are...but now if there's absolutely no sign of any new low growth low down, then yep, enjoy (!) the workout involved in getting it out! Good luck, J.

  • Poly-anthusPoly-anthus Posts: 154

    Thanks everyone. Looks like workout it is then image.  Dont think it would decide to put on much new growth in a northern Scottish winter image.  Oh well, I never liked it much anyway! 

  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,354

    If you didn't like it then you've got your answer. 

    We cut three sprawling hebes almost to the ground in January (mainly to provide access for fence work), not really expecting them to come back. It took quite a while but they all did. I've ditched one anyway - three was too many - but feel I ought to reward the tenacity of the other two. 

    However, we're in SE London,  not Scotland! 

    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
Sign In or Register to comment.