Pruning Hebes

Hi
How far back can you prune a Hebe,and when is the best time, flowers just fading now

 

Hebe's are pretty tough and respond well to heavy pruning but that's dependent on the type and size of the plant. How big is it? A picture would help please.

 

Sorry don't know which type,it's a white one, size of plant is 6"x 8" it's getting bigger

 

I treat mine like a hedge and cut it well back (it's bordering a path) and it doesn't come to any harm. The white varieties seem hardier than the blues.

 

I'd leave the pruning until late Autumn, although the flowers are coming to an end now, there is a chance it may bloom again. I think you could take up to 2ft off the top and probably about the same all round just to put shape back into it. It may look a bit scruffy for a while, but as they grow fairly fast it will soon make up with new growth.

If that sounds a bit harsh, start by pruning a little at a time and see how you feel about it.

 

Thank you Alana & Sheal
I'll trim back bit at a time, I was worried about cutting to much off back past the leaves down the stem not to kill it, and to many nosey neighbours