I’ve got three shrubs I plan on cutting down almost to the ground before any new growth emerges and would love to hear your successes or failures with these in the past:
Weigela ‘Wine and Roses’ – planted a few of these three years ago and they have been phenomenal to date. I actually like the foliage more than the flowers. Just out of curiosity, I must admit, I’d like to cut them way back just to see what happens. I’ve read in a number of places that this should still result in a decent sized shrub and I am hoping the foliage will be an even more vivid color.
Spirea ‘Anthony Waterer’ – I’ve had these for close to 4 years now in front of my back deck so they are in a prominent summer time location. The little bastards need some rejuvenation so I’m ready to scalp them. If the results are not as positive as I hope for, I am thinking about moving them to a new location. If so, would love to know what you would suggest in their place? The location is full sun, southern facing and of course, the usual acidic clay soil.
Althea ‘Lavender Chiffon’ – This was purchased on a whim at the Home Depot two summers ago and it has yet to really do much. I haven’t pruned it a bit and put it in full sun in a somewhat unprotected area. Again, thinking about cutting it back a lot this Spring to test the results. The deer seem to have nibbled it a bit so don’t know if that will be an issue.
As always, thank you for all of your comments and feedback. I promise you they have all been added to the master Excel document I’ve been working on for the past 5 years. One of these days this masterpiece (I kid) will be revealed in a big ass ceremony.
Other than the fact that it’s hard to read, I’d say try some tomatoes, and cut the Weigela down to 5 major stems – like a hand (I’m no expert though! 😉 Hope you get more good feedback!
Best of luck,
Gaia
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Dear Janie, I should have absolutely no hesitation in cutting both the Weigela and Spiraea to nearly ground level, say leaving about 1 foot of growth, applying a good mulch of organic matter around the base, watering really well [a couple of gallons per shrub and same every other day if it is dry for about a week] and then waiting. I am certain that you will not lose them. As for the third, I could not say as I have never grown it.
I do hope that this is of some help and I wish you well.
My garden appear less barren in spring when shrubs are cut down the previous autumn. Botanical activity is taking place in the branches in the very early cold days of spring. That growth is not discernible to the naked eye. By cutting down the shrubs in spring, one is destroying the emerging growth that is almost ready to pop. By cutting the shrubs in the fall, next spring’s emerging growth starts at the base and the shrub gets bushier faster.
All three can be cut back very hard. The Althea flowers on new wood, so you do not have to worry about losing this years flowers, as long as you cut it back very soon. Not sure about the other two.
I can’t assist with any of these. However, my dad has no fear of cutting anything and it always grows back. My poor mother almost had heart failure one year when she came home to see her gigantic lilacs reduced to two foot-tall shrubs. But they came back in all their glory…not until the following year. This doesn’t really help, does it?! 🙁