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Shrubs growing into one another! What first?

#1 · 18th February 2023, 5:49 pm

Hi there, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with one of my customer's gardens, it has been neglected for a few years and has many overgrown shrubs that are growing into each other!

Any advice on where to start? Some of the shrubs are Rhododendron, Forsythia, possibly camellia (or Osmanthus Burkwoodii), choisya, some sort of flax, cotoneaster, and what I think is a self-seeded blackthorn! Please see the photos below. In the last picture there is a deciduous tree-like shrub to the rear right which I am unsure of. If anyone can help ID it I would be grateful!

I am wondering whether to renovate the rhododendrons this month/in March as they need to be dramatically downsized but I'm worried I will harm/kill them! Or should it be done just after flowering? Could I get away with cutting out 1/3 or the dead wood/branches that are crossing/rubbing?

Looking forward to hearing from any of you with experience in this area.

Many thanks in advance,

Esther 🙂

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#2 · 20th February 2023, 9:40 pm

Quote from Lee Garden Ninja on 20th February 2023, 9:40 pm
Hi @estaburgesshotmail-co-uk
Thanks for your comment about when to prune shrubs. Especially when growing into one another.
As a general rule prune deciduous shrubs and trees in late winter. Around Jan here in the UK.
I often allow shrubs to ‘kiss each other’ Ie grow until they just about touch. With the exception of say Cornus or Blackthorn which are voracious most shrubs will stop there. Evolution means that plants often won’t bother to grow into dense canopies of other shrubs as there’s no light.
However if they’re all getting a ‘bit blocky’ then some maintenance pruning is required to open them up a bit.
Blackwoods can be hard prune easily. Just watch the thorns. However spring flowering shrubs and evergreens need a different approach.
When to prune Rhododendrons:
Rhododendrons should only be prune after flowering. That is as soon as the flowers fade and fall get to pruning. Rhododendrons and Azaleas need pruning around May-June depending on their flowering window.
These evergreen shrubs are slow growing so prune with caution. Choosing the prune to shape than cut back. In your example I’d take off some of the lower branches and form a small tree structure to open it up. A bit like shaping an Acer. Then you could under plant with some shade loving specimens. Much nicer for year round interest.
The example below shows where is prune a Camellia when it’s finished flowering for help. You can tell it’s nearly finished as the blooms are starting to brown.
Always use clean sharp secateurs. My guide here on pruning will help if your unsure or need guidance My guide here on pruning will help if your unsure or need guidance
After pruning mulch in the autumn to give them a feed. An ericaceous Mulch is best. An easy way to do this is to mix in fallen pine needles with peat free compost or shredded Heather prunings.
https://youtu.be/ptBotSa2wpw
As for the tree I can’t identify it until it’s in leaf I’m afraid. May be add a pic as it develops.
Hope that helps!
Lee

Hi @estaburgesshotmail-co-uk

Thanks for your comment about when to prune shrubs. Especially when growing into one another.

As a general rule prune deciduous shrubs and trees in late winter. Around Jan here in the UK.

I often allow shrubs to ‘kiss each other’ Ie grow until they just about touch. With the exception of say Cornus or Blackthorn which are voracious most shrubs will stop there. Evolution means that plants often won’t bother to grow into dense canopies of other shrubs as there’s no light.

However if they’re all getting a ‘bit blocky’ then some maintenance pruning is required to open them up a bit.

Blackwoods can be hard prune easily. Just watch the thorns. However spring flowering shrubs and evergreens need a different approach.

When to prune Rhododendrons:

Rhododendrons should only be prune after flowering. That is as soon as the flowers fade and fall get to pruning. Rhododendrons and Azaleas need pruning around May-June depending on their flowering window.

These evergreen shrubs are slow growing so prune with caution. Choosing the prune to shape than cut back. In your example I’d take off some of the lower branches and form a small tree structure to open it up. A bit like shaping an Acer. Then you could under plant with some shade loving specimens. Much nicer for year round interest.

The example below shows where is prune a Camellia when it’s finished flowering for help. You can tell it’s nearly finished as the blooms are starting to brown.

Always use clean sharp secateurs. My guide here on pruning will help if your unsure or need guidance My guide here on pruning will help if your unsure or need guidance

After pruning mulch in the autumn to give them a feed. An ericaceous Mulch is best. An easy way to do this is to mix in fallen pine needles with peat free compost or shredded Heather prunings.

As for the tree I can’t identify it until it’s in leaf I’m afraid. May be add a pic as it develops.

Hope that helps!

Lee

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#3 · 20th February 2023, 10:53 pm

Thank you Lee,

Your response is very helpful and I so appreciate your advice. So you wouldn’t chance renovating an evergreen (in particular a rhododendron) at the this of year then? Guessing it is pretty risky when it’s not your own garden?!
Your page on pruning tips is very insightful, thanks for sharing it.

Thanks again for your help.
best wishes,

Esther