Unseasonal Weather/ pruning Cornus alba + Buddliea davidii

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by John Dalrymple, Feb 21, 2019.

  1. John Dalrymple

    John Dalrymple Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2018
    Messages:
    25
    Ratings:
    +38
    Reading up on pruning these two plants, I should wait until March, but even up here in Northumberland they have sprung into life, particularly the Buddleias. They were planted last April as quite mature plants and are about 2 metres tall, and apparently very healthy. I'm just wondering if I should hold my nerve and wait for a month or get stuck in now.

    Also I wouldn't mind any tips about HOW to prune since they are both mature plants and newly planted ones, so don't really fit into the categories I see when I read up on the subject

    Any help greatly appreciated, including telling me if I've done the photos wrongly or posted in the wrong forum.




    [​IMG]Pics for pruning advice by John Dalrymple on Gardeners Corner - The Friendly Gardening Forum

    [​IMG]Pics for pruning advice by John Dalrymple on Gardeners Corner - The Friendly Gardening Forum
     
  2. Verdun

    Verdun Passionate gardener

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2012
    Messages:
    7,475
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    West Cornwall
    Ratings:
    +17,486
    Hi John :)
    Both are easy shrubs to prune. You can’t go wrong. As a matter of fact I pruned my cornus just an hour or so ago. I use the pruned shoots as cuttings
    You can safely cut your buddleia as hard as you like....just make sure cuts are nice and clean.. it will flower in summer so don’t worry :)
    Cornus? Again simple and straightforward. Cut weak shoots hard back to a centimetre or two. The rest can be cut right to the ground or to any point. Cut back hard and you will be rewarded with vigorous upright shoots with the best red colour in autumn and winter
    Fear not, you won’t damage or kill those shrubs with pruning:)
     
  3. John Dalrymple

    John Dalrymple Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2018
    Messages:
    25
    Ratings:
    +38
    Thanks Verdun. Up here we could easily still get a very cold snap, and what with these plants only going into the ground 9 months ago I was concerned about the effect of going the hard pruning route.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Verdun

      Verdun Passionate gardener

      Joined:
      Oct 16, 2012
      Messages:
      7,475
      Gender:
      Male
      Location:
      West Cornwall
      Ratings:
      +17,486
      They are very, very hardy John. If you are a little concerned then wait a further couple of weeks or so. However, prune to your heart’s content without worry
       
    Loading...

    Share This Page

    1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
      By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
      Dismiss Notice