On 7/8/07 13:31, in article , "Nora
Jones" wrote:


With my new home in North Wales I have acquired an escallonia, of the
apple blossom variety. It is a beautiful bush and is still in bloom,
having started to blossom around 5 weeks ago.
Last year I cut it back as it was quite tall, broad, and unruly! As I
didn't know how to do this, I just cut it back to a nice round shape.
It stands on its own in the middle of my garden and is a haven for many
species of garden birds.
I read somewhere that it should be pruned to a "pyramid" shape. Is
this necessary as I am not certain that my non-artistic character could
cope? Am I right in assuming that I should wait until all the flowers
are finished? I just want to keep it neat and tidy, enjoy it, and keep
it as a haven for the birds!
Thank you

I don't understand why anyone would think it *should* be pruned to a pyramid
shape. Many people use Escallonias a hedging and then it's just kept sort
of hedge-shaped! I should cut it just as you want it and enjoy it - it
sounds lovely. You can do the trimming after it's flowered or in mid-spring
before any flower buds form.

--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove weeds from address)
'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our
children.'