Damaged shrubs, what to do?

Last winter quite a few of my shrubs got damaged I think by winter winds, generally on one side. I hate to dig things up unless they are well and truly beyond recovery, so left them in. One is a large cistus and the other two are hebes all are mature shrubs. As they are in the front of a border they are conspicuous and sadly they are still healthy on one side and bare on the other (I'd hoped the damaged leafless sections would regrow through the spring, but they did not - so a bit of a eyesore really. Bit late to do anything for this season, but wondering about next year.

Should I prune them hard back in the autumn? Not sure about rapidity of regrowth on these shrubs or if they take a real hard pruning well. Or just dig them out and replace with healthy specimens?

Thanks for any help.

 

I'm no expert and others may disagree but I personally would hard prune the Hebes asap, there is still time fo it to produce new growth and for it to harden off before next winter.After a severe haircut maybe a good feed and mulch would help the shrubs. The Cistus I don't think responds well to being hard pruned so perhaps you might be best to cut your lossess and go plant shopping for a replacement.

 

In agreement with silu ... but wanted to add, get some cuttings from your Hebe before you give it a haircut. That way, you will always have a back up replacement.

I'm a relative newbie to gardening, but I have been extremely successful with my hebe cuttings.

Have never tried propagating Cistus, but there is good advice by 'woo' on it HERE plus a link with extra advice, should you need it.