How to remove plants within bushes?

trooperdore

I've moved into a house where the previous owner seems to have liked putting plants-within-plants for some reason.  As a result, I have a couple of hydrangea bushes with tall holly growing out of the top of them or honeysuckle running riot from within them, which all looks a bit odd.  I'd like to remove the holly and honeysuckle, but a bit worried about damaging the hydrangeas while doing it.  If I cut the holly down near the base and paint brushwood killer on the stump, would that work without killing the surrounding bush?  Any tips for dealing with the honeysuckle would also be welcome, as the hydrangea is so thick that I can't even find where the honeysuckle starts from. 

There's also a lovely old rose growing out of some kind of low shrub that will eventually need to be moved due to building work. I'm not too fussed about the shrub (although the bees love it, whatever it is!) but do roses re-site well, and what's the best way of doing it/where best to re-site it? The soil is clay, south facing garden.

twopenny

" If I cut the holly down near the base and paint brushwood killer on the stump, would that work without killing the surrounding bush"

Indeed. Probably the easiest way to do it. Ditto the honeysuckle. I'd try now while the bush is bareish of leaves.

It's possible that these two plants have self seeded and not been dealt with.

Is the honeysuckle the native woodland one or a special one? If special dig out what you can with some root and plant elsewhere. A useful plant to cover fences and give fragrance.

Hydrangeas are tough as old boots. You can cut out branches, in fact that would probably help it to have some air and light around.

Great plants to give foliage and flowers for very little effort. The flowers will dry out if cut and kept and add colour for the winter.

Sarahspangles

I’ve transplanted lots of roses, now’s an okay time to do it, or Jan/Feb next year.  Roses have deep roots and the more root you keep the faster it will bounce back.  Dig out as big a ball as you think you can drag to the new planting spot.  If the branches aren’t in your way don’t prune them yet as you’re almost bound to damage one and this way you will have more to work with later*.  Or just shorten everything by half to start with.  Slide the ball onto a sheet of something and take it to its new home.  The next bit is key - plant it a couple of inches deeper than its previous soil level.  Most roses are grafted and the rootstock often suckers after moving the plant.  Use compost and slow release food if you have some.  Water in if you move it now, as it will be breaking dormancy.  Then do a final prune, to 9’ to 12” retaining three or four strong branches.

trooperdore

Thanks for the great info both of you. Will try and cull the holly and honeysuckle when we get a clear day soon, before the hydrangeas explode for the summer.  The rose might need to wait, so will plan it for next year.  Not sure what type of honeysuckle it is (yellowy-pink, possibly native from a quick image google), but to be honest I'm not keen on the fragrance so will try and plant another bee-friendly option along the fence instead.  I hate getting rid of good plants though, so if I can get it out by the root then maybe someone else locally will be glad to have it.

theoretica

You might also want to look up taking rose cuttings if it is a plant you like.  I have always done this over winter so it might be a bit late for this year.

Farway

theoretica said:

You might also want to look up taking rose cuttings if it is a plant you like.  I have always done this over winter so it might be a bit late for this year.

So agree, take some rose cuttings, just about time. Cut off about a foot long shoot, take lots because some will surely fail. Trim off any lower leaves, leaving about nine inches of bare stem with a couple of leaves at the top, poke the bare six inches or more into the ground or large pot where it can remain until next Spring

Keep eye open for signs of fresh growth, new leaves etc. may need to water depending on the summer.

Here's one I salvaged when a neighbour moved last Autumn, a lot died, but this one loved it, hence take more than you think

Eldi_Dos

@trooperdore
When you cut the holly and the honeysuckle as close to their base as possible, place a upturned plant pot over the cut/stump and weigh it down. This will deprive any regrowth of light, take off after a couple of months and cut with secateurs any regrowth then replace pot. This will save lead to roots of holly and honeysuckle dying off without the need for any chemicals.

trooperdore

Thanks all, good advice  Will probably plan to tackle the rose next winter as I'm still planning the garden re-arrangement, so that will allow me to take cuttings earlier in the season. I have loads of things to remove in the meantime, so the plantpot tip will be handy.  It's my first proper garden, so the learning curve is steep!  The overgrown ivy is turning out to be a particular terror, it's grown all up the walls of the house and leaves roots all over the render.  I suspect a lot of patience and redecoration will be required..