Pruning a large Hebe

I've got a Hebe that's been battered by storms and looking a little sorry for itself. Would it hurt to prune it back now ? I know it's usually spring for pruning but don't know if I should wait.

 

I'm interested too on this ....eagerly awaiting on an answer

 

The best time to prune a Hebe is after it has flowered,..however your circumstances are different,..they seldom need a lot of pruning but best to keep them in some sort of shape rather than scraggy,..early Spring is a good time as well,..with very cold Winters its best to have any pruning done before the really cold weather arrives to give new growth a fighting chance to survive.

Were it me i would do some pruning seeing your Hebe has been battered,..it would help the Hebe to save its energy trying to keep alive battered and damaged branches and start new growth.

Philip

 

Thanks for the advice Philip . When it stops raining I'll take a picture.

 

@luciusmaximus ,..looking forward to seeing the Hebe,..i have a few myself,..three or four,..beautiful foliage on all and the bonus of course are the blooms.

Philip

 

Pruning can cover a wide field. Perhaps basically and as a starting point. Pruning entails cutting back, thinning out and trimming to make the subject look good.

Perhaps when pruning shrubs and semi-shrubs. It starts out cosmetic. However shrubs semi or otherwise. It has to be realised that the further inwards you go. The less the foliage. So simply, concentrate your pruning on, cutting out old stems, wood. If you neglect this. In time you will have perhaps a very large specimen consisting of a vast tangle of branches etc and a spattering of leave and flowers on the outside. In particular. When tending the outer,tips of the plant. Cut back if you can to between a pair of leaves. This will aviod having lots of dead ended stems on show. The idea of pruning following flowering simply is. First enjou the flowers and then get cutting.

Pruning trees and fruit trees. Here the idea is to keep the crown of the tree open. Get rid of weak branches and those crossing over. An old practice. Having pruned a tree, fruit or otherwise. You should be able to stand back and throw your cap through the middle. Of course with fruit trees, pruning also includes reconising fruit buds and pruning as such.