I agree with Andy. Lollipopping it does not work for most shrubs. Thin out old wood to the base. If the plants are too big, scrap them and start again with something more suitable to the space.
The jasmine will probably need a good watering. Treat that planter as if it is a big pot. It may get too dry.
How do I know what is old growth? Will it just be visually obvious?
@andy/fidget hhhhmmmmm I don't want to chuck it away as the birds love it, but I do feel it's a little on the large side. I'm not too worried about it not flowering....tbh I'm not that keen on flowers....my initial idea for the garden was to keep to a strict colour scheme of green and white only, but then a friend gave me some tomatoes so that plan has gone a bit awry!
If I cut the new growth at the top to get the rounder shape will that kill it?
I also have a bit of garden at the front of the property and it has got a bit taken over by some self seeded grass, a neighbour told me it was a pseudo grass? but I have not had any luck googling that, any ideas? I need to get rid of it. What's the best option? Weed killer? It's pretty big about as tall and wide as ol' spiky but a grassy thing.
@aym280 thank you, it has been really hard to move home (both employed in good jobs) and find anything small in a village location so we've had to go from a really big 2 bed flat to a 1 bed property that's part of an old converted school, but I LOVE IT. The neighbours all seem like gardening pros though so I need to raise my game
Number three pic on the right looks like a nice Penstemon, will flower late. Watch that bay tree - mine grew to 30 foot and started making a bay forest :-( Should only be grown in pots.
Old growth will be very 'woody', new growth softer and pliable. You won't kill it if you chop the new growth, viburnum is a toughie. It would meet your green and white theme if you wanted to continue it as the flowers are white :-).
If you did want to go white and green there'd be lots of options - I've got a white border I'm growing for the first time this year and so far it's coming along ok.
What a lovely space and an exciting project. You'll make it your own in no time.
Could I just add to please check the green shrub you want to cut back in case there are any birds actually nesting in it - if there are, you'll need to wait until the chicks have fledged.
Hope you'll be very happy in your new home and garden.
so far example if I just trimmed the Viburnum like this to make it a round shape, would that be bad for it? Do I just take secateurs to it? and chop off the branches until it is more round? and then also cut any dead bits off?
I've got a Viburnum Tinus and have 'lollipopped' it to fit the space and surrounding plants. It doesn't flower but has bright green new leaves throughout Spring and summer which is good enough to me.
It's quite tough and trimming it into the shape shown will do it no harm. It does grow fast though so be prepared to tidy it up every few weeks. I'm a bit OCD with pruning and do it slowly, snipping off small clusters of leaves with hand secateurs rather than shears. Then, to the delight of my neighbours, I stand back every few snips to check the shape !!
thanks ! I have lovely neighbours and it's a real joy to be out I n the front garden. Mind you everything takes twice as long because everyone passing by stops for a chat !
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I agree with Andy. Lollipopping it does not work for most shrubs. Thin out old wood to the base. If the plants are too big, scrap them and start again with something more suitable to the space.
The jasmine will probably need a good watering. Treat that planter as if it is a big pot. It may get too dry.
How do I know what is old growth? Will it just be visually obvious?
@andy/fidget hhhhmmmmm I don't want to chuck it away as the birds love it, but I do feel it's a little on the large side. I'm not too worried about it not flowering....tbh I'm not that keen on flowers....my initial idea for the garden was to keep to a strict colour scheme of green and white only, but then a friend gave me some tomatoes so that plan has gone a bit awry!
If I cut the new growth at the top to get the rounder shape will that kill it?
I also have a bit of garden at the front of the property and it has got a bit taken over by some self seeded grass, a neighbour told me it was a pseudo grass? but I have not had any luck googling that, any ideas? I need to get rid of it. What's the best option? Weed killer? It's pretty big about as tall and wide as ol' spiky but a grassy thing.
@aym280 thank you, it has been really hard to move home (both employed in good jobs) and find anything small in a village location so we've had to go from a really big 2 bed flat to a 1 bed property that's part of an old converted school, but I LOVE IT. The neighbours all seem like gardening pros though so I need to raise my game
Number three pic on the right looks like a nice Penstemon, will flower late. Watch that bay tree - mine grew to 30 foot and started making a bay forest :-( Should only be grown in pots.
Old growth will be very 'woody', new growth softer and pliable. You won't kill it if you chop the new growth, viburnum is a toughie. It would meet your green and white theme if you wanted to continue it as the flowers are white :-).
If you did want to go white and green there'd be lots of options - I've got a white border I'm growing for the first time this year and so far it's coming along ok.
Does pampas grass ring a bell.? Nasty sharp stuff that you need gloves to get it out?
Hi there,
What a lovely space and an exciting project. You'll make it your own in no time.
Could I just add to please check the green shrub you want to cut back in case there are any birds actually nesting in it - if there are, you'll need to wait until the chicks have fledged.
Hope you'll be very happy in your new home and garden.
I've got a Viburnum Tinus and have 'lollipopped' it to fit the space and surrounding plants. It doesn't flower but has bright green new leaves throughout Spring and summer which is good enough to me.
It's quite tough and trimming it into the shape shown will do it no harm. It does grow fast though so be prepared to tidy it up every few weeks. I'm a bit OCD with pruning and do it slowly, snipping off small clusters of leaves with hand secateurs rather than shears. Then, to the delight of my neighbours, I stand back every few snips to check the shape !!
Did all these get answered? 2nd one looks like Hyacinths to me and the last one looks like a Beech.