The web address of the Gardening board has now been changed from https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/greenfingered-moneysaving to https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/gardening so that it is in line with the board's current name. Don't worry though, the old address will still redirect you here, but it's worth updating it in your saved links or browser favourites.
We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that dates on the Forum are not currently showing correctly. Please bear with us while we get this fixed, and see Site feedback for updates.

Snowberry

I’ve been cutting out the dead laurel from our hedge.  I suspect the bushes will need digging out but (a) that’s beyond me and (b) I’m hoping the roots are still alive and will throw up new shoots.

however in the process of removing the dead stuff I have discovered that what I think is a snowberry is amazingly leggy - there’s a good 5 foot of bush with no leaves or shoots and then a couple of foot of leaves and berries. It’s probably never been pruned since it was planted in the mid 60s.  

Will cutting it down kill it? Now that the laurel has gone it has nothing to support it and looks silly. Can I force it to send up new shoots?  Unlike the laurel it’s definitely alive.

The location (clay soil) is hot and dry at the best of times but this year’s hot weather has dried it out still further (the laurel is actually black and looks as though it’s been in a fire).

Comments

  • twopenny
    twopenny Posts: 6,850 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    The Snowberry used to grow along the edge of my school and always looked a bit threadbare but was enjoyed for all that. A lovely shrub seldom seen nowadays.
    Gardeners World says "Prune in late winter to early spring. Take out dead growth and thin out dense shoots in the centre of the plant. Reduce height as required if growing as a hedge. Dig out suckers (shoots that spread out from below ground) if necessary to limit spread."
    While if it's thriving you can remove some stems to the ground this has been squeezed. My phylosophy with bushes I want to keep is to prune half leaving the other half to sustain the plant while it regrows - and then do the other half once it's brother has recovered or recovering.
    Perfect time for this. Winter then Spring pruning with a feed both times. I'd go for BM or BFB which will encourage roots in autumn.
    Or just leave it for a year and prop it up with canes or string nipping off the tops of branches just above a set of leaves and see how it goes.


    I can rise and shine - just not at the same time!

    viral kindness .....kindness is contageous pass it on

    The only normal people you know are the ones you don’t know very well


  • fatbelly
    fatbelly Posts: 22,146 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Cashback Cashier
    It's a pretty tough plant so it should be ok. Nice leaves, nice berries, doesn't grow too big
  • Thanks.  I like it, but I was worried about cutting it back if it doesn’t grow from old wood.  I’ll probably have to clear more of the dead laurel so I can see just what is going on at the base of the plant - I can’t see any sign of suckers or new growth, it’s just very very tall, and now the laurel has died, very droopy.
  • Katiehound
    Katiehound Posts: 8,072 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 20 September 2023 pm30 6:16PM
    Personally I would cut it down to a reasonable size, maybe 3 or 4 feet , perhaps even stake it. Then water it and mulch around the bottom or use some old wool carpet or old cardboard (weighted down) to stop the roots drying out and weeds taking over.
    If it survives over winter without the protection of the laurel then you might think about some more pruning. As it has had a touch of trauma it might take a couple of years to grow into an acceptable shrub.
    Don't forget to feed it.

    The old adage is 'growth follows the knife'   is generally true.
    Being polite and pleasant doesn't cost anything!
    -Stash bust:in 2022:337
    Stash bust :2023. 120duvets, 24bags,43dogcoats, 2scrunchies, 10mitts, 6 bootees, 8spec cases, 2 A6notebooks, 59cards, 6 lav bags,36 angels,9 bones,1 blanket, 1 lined bag,3 owls, 88 pyramids = total 420total spend £5.Total for 'Dogs for Good' £546.82

    2024:Sewn:59Doggy ds,52pyramids,18 bags,6spec cases,6lav.bags.
    Knits:6covers,4hats,10mitts,2 bootees.
    Crotchet:61angels, 229cards=453 £136.4spent!!!
  • ka7e
    ka7e Posts: 3,113 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic
    I have found it to be horribly invasive, sending up shoots from an extensive root system. The previous owner must have had it as a decorative shrub, but it had been neglected for years. I tried digging up the roots which criss-crossed the bottom of my garden, but it just kept reappearing. I cut off new shoots as they appear during the summer and will be grubbing it out of the hedgerow when the leaves fall off the trees and shrubs I've planted. It's suckered into the field behind my garden so I'll never be able to eradicate it.
    "Cheap", "Fast", "Right" -- pick two.
  • twopenny
    twopenny Posts: 6,850 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I wonder if there are different types of this shrub.
    I saw some yesterday supported by a wall. Looking healthy and not invading the rest of the border.
    So worth keeping an eye to see exactly what you've got.

    I can rise and shine - just not at the same time!

    viral kindness .....kindness is contageous pass it on

    The only normal people you know are the ones you don’t know very well


  • This it, it’s on long bare weedy stems, then this leafy bit which is above my head (I’m 5ft 5). I can’t yet see much in the way of suckers, but given the hedge is at least 59 years old and has probably never been looked after, the soil is probably none too fertile. 
  • twopenny
    twopenny Posts: 6,850 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Oh wow, thats big!
    But a lot healthier than I expected.
    If you live in the north, colder, I'd lay the stems sideways to get new shoots going up and take their chances and prune next spring after frost.
    If you live in the south I'd prune to about 3-4ft and it's got the autumn to get over the shock.

    Though if it's as sturdy as it looks and has survived in the laurel it should be ok.

    I can rise and shine - just not at the same time!

    viral kindness .....kindness is contageous pass it on

    The only normal people you know are the ones you don’t know very well


Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 240.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.7K Life & Family
  • 254.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.