Overgrown Philadelphus

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by ihateslugs, Mar 30, 2010.

  1. ihateslugs

    ihateslugs Apprentice Gardener

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    I have inherited a philadelphus that is trying to be a tree - in other words, over 12ft tall. It hasn't been pruned in over 12 years, and is now very leggy. I spent the weekend removing an infestation of ivy from around it, which has made it even more obvious how desperately it needs pruning.
    If I pruned it now, to say half its current height, am I a) likely to kill it b) going to cancel out any flowers this summer? Help and advice please.
     
  2. Alice

    Alice Gardener

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    Hello Ihateslugs and welcome to Gardeners Corner.
    If you prune your Philadelphus now you will lose this years flowers.
    Philadelphus is a lovely shrub and well worth saving so this is what I would do.
    Wait until your Philadelphus has flowered - around June.
    As soon as it has flowered cut about a third of the stems back nearly to the ground. This will give you good growth from the base.
    On the remaining stems cut them back by about a 1/3 to a half. This will give you good flowering next year.
    Next year cut a different third to the ground and so on.
    That way you will keep the shrub under control and at its best.
     
  3. PeterS

    PeterS Total Gardener

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