To prune certain shrubs, you practically need a horticulture degree. For instance, you can’t just make random cuts to a Beautyberry (Callicarpa bodinieri ‘Profusion’) because it will sprout in opposite directions and grow like a weird alien. The same goes for a Doublefile Viburnum (Viburnum plicatum). And an Abelia (Abelia grandiflorum). But some shrubs respond well to severe random cut backs. (Note: I’m not talking about radical renovation here.) They put on fresh new growth while keeping their attractive form. Their health is barely affected. They grow in a denser shape. In short, they’re robust enough to respond well to severe pruning.
But there’s one important rule to remember when cutting back these or any shrubs: Continue reading
Good Sunday morning! If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you’re probably enjoying a gorgeous, sunny day right now. We finally made it through an unusually cold and prolonged rainy spring. Now the peonies are in bloom and I’m feeling inspired. So inspired, in fact, that I have made a change to my blogging life. If you’re a Gardening, Seattle Style subscriber, you may notice this mail came from the Karen K. Hugg website. That’s because I’ve streamlined GSS into this one, making for more frequent posts and richer content. I’ll be offering advice on gardening and posts about writing, motherhood, and Paris and Europe. If none of that interests you, you can always unsubscribe, I won’t be hurt, but if you stick with me, I’ll hopefully enrich your life.
