My Garden

Pruning Ceanothus

Last post 04-07-2009 3:11 PM by laf. 19 replies.

• 31/10/2004 07:37 PM
  ping29280 Location: Joined on: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 1	Reply | Contact Any thoughts on whether or not an evergreen Ceanothus can be pruned hard and if so when. Its currently 9-10 ft tall and about 6ft across. I would like to half its size but to do so would mean cutting back to old wood in almost all directions. I have trimmed it each year but all that has done has kept its shape rather than restrict its size. P N Grinham

• 02/11/2004 03:53 PM

  In reply to

  newgardener Location: Joined on: 26 May 2004 Posts: 12

  Reply | Contact I would prune from late spring to mid-summer - which may mean no flowers for the first year depending on when it flowers. However, cutting back into very old wood (depending on the age and health of the plant) may cause it to curl up its toes! it might be better to prune half of it hard back next year and then do the other half the following year. After pruning give a good feed with a granular fertiliser. New Gardener

• 19/11/2004 03:35 PM	In reply to
  williamelfyn Location: Joined on: 21 May 2004 Posts: 10	Reply | Contact Prune Ceanothus too hard and it will die - I tend to remove dead/dying branches - no more. All the Ceanothus' I have cut back hard eventually die. Better to grub out and buy a new one . Sorry! WilliamElfyn williamelfyn

• 23/11/2004 05:34 PM	In reply to
  ken69 Location: Norfolk UK Joined on: 23 Nov 2004 Posts: 405	Reply | Contact I agree, Ping, Ceanothus doesn't respond to heavy pruning.You will lose the architecture of the bush, and will take at least a year to recover.Best done in spring, I would have thought,with all the growing season to come.

• 24/11/2004 07:24 AM	In reply to
  William Location: Joined on: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 210	Reply | Contact Hello Ping, Normally (evergreen) Ceanotus isn't pruned very much, you could try rejuvinating it by cutting back 1/3 of its branches next spring, another third one year later and so on. Deciduous ceanotus can be pruned quite hard to a basic shape in early spring. Happy Gardening, William (Netherlands)

• 24/11/2004 09:30 AM	In reply to
  Obelix Location: Belgium Joined on: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 378	Reply | Contact I would prune it after flowering but take out only one third to a half of the branches this year and repeat next year. That way you will still get your flowers and have reserves in case of a hard winter killing off stems or, as in my case, the entire plant!! Obelix - Belgium

• 24/11/2004 02:06 PM	In reply to
  P Stick Location: North Wales Joined on: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 86	Reply | Contact Hi Obelix - strangely enough I cut mine back yesterday and shredded the bits for composting. I prefer to do it after it has flowered in the spring but if yours is autumn flowering then I'd do it now or early spring. P Stick

• 24/11/2004 03:34 PM	In reply to
  William Location: Joined on: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 210	Reply | Contact Hi P Stick, nice to see the RHS does not object to apples... Is your ceanotus evergreen or deciduous? Happy Gardening, William (Netherlands)

• 24/11/2004 04:12 PM	In reply to
  Val. Location: Joined on: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 9	Reply | Contact Hiya...I made it here, amongst all the others I see. Right now what were we saying, oh yes ceanothus, let me have a read.....Oh I've got one that will need pruning soon, its near the bird bath, does that mean it will die if I chop it back or just not flower. Val.

• 24/11/2004 04:21 PM	In reply to
  William Location: Joined on: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 210	Reply | Contact Hi Val, nice to see you've made it here. Ceanotus ehhh, if it drops its leaves hit it hard and it will flower. If it doesn't drop its leaves, don't hit it too hard ( treat it a bit like a rhododendron or a hydrangea... Happy Gardening, William (Netherlands)

• 24/11/2004 04:31 PM	In reply to
  Val. Location: Joined on: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 9	Reply | Contact Oh right Wills, it almost feels like home doesn't it lol...It is an evergreen so I'll just have to snip round it, but I won't do it until after its flowered , the bees really loved it last year,so I'll wait until its finished flowering. Val.

• 24/11/2004 04:39 PM	In reply to
  William Location: Joined on: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 210	Reply | Contact Talking about bees, our neighbours have an ivy hanging over their fence, full in bloom last week, it was still buzzing with some sort of bee things and hoverfly like things. It was really humming and buzzing. Happy Gardening, William (Netherlands)

• 24/11/2004 04:45 PM	In reply to
  Val. Location: Joined on: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 9	Reply | Contact Yes I've seen bees in the garden just lately, not as many as you've said just the odd one but it doesn't seem normal does it? I expect your wren was after all the spiders in the ivy.They might even nest there next spring. Val.

• 24/11/2004 04:54 PM	In reply to
  William Location: Joined on: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 210	Reply | Contact Well the bees were humming on another fence on the other side of a path between our house and our neighbours. But a Wren nesting in our Ivy on the other fence would really be wonderfull. Last year we had a couple of mice walking up and down that spot.... Happy Gardening, William (Netherlands)

• 24/11/2004 07:02 PM	In reply to
  Val. Location: Joined on: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 9	Reply | Contact Oh yes and I really needed to know about the mice, didn't I Wills?...Where did they go, checked your attic lately? lol. or don't you have attics over there? Val.