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Gardening

To prune or not to prune

(8 Posts)
Nandalot Tue 20-Feb-18 13:02:55

I have a perennial wallflower at the front of a bed that has grown and now that everything else has died down I can see that it has grown woody with only new growth at the top. Can I cut into the old wood or is it now time to say goodbye to the plant. I do like it and where it is. Thanks.

merlotgran Tue 20-Feb-18 13:16:11

They are short lived perennials so you could take cuttings then cut it back a bit and see what happens.

cavewoman Tue 20-Feb-18 13:36:42

I have had these plants for years, all from cuttings from one original plant.
They are very easy to propagate especially when a semi ripe cutting is taken in mid summer. It should have rooted ready to plant in late summer.

Nandalot Fri 23-Feb-18 19:57:37

Might be too late for the current one then, but shall try this with its replacement. Thank you.

lemongrove Fri 23-Feb-18 20:44:01

It is short lived, just a few years, we usually replace with another mature plant, the Bowles Mauve (?) is the best one.

lemongrove Fri 23-Feb-18 20:44:43

We still have one in flower, it never stopped all through Summer Autumn and Winter!

J52 Fri 23-Feb-18 20:54:01

Mine is several years old, it started off in a pot but is now happier in the garden. It’s quite large and has also flowered throughout the winter.
I might take some cuttings this year.

Chewbacca Fri 23-Feb-18 21:05:10

If wallflowers are grown in the same spot for several years, they can become susceptible to club root. This stunts the growth and can cause the plant to wither back and inhibit new growth. If you can see that the plant is withering from the centre of the plant , outwards, its best to pull it up and burn it. When replanting with a new plant, find a different spot in the garden and don't replant in the diseased area for at least 2 years.