Not sure if this is an anathema to the group but I'll give it a shot anyway


I've got a couple of shrubs and a hedge that are getting a bit out of
control. I pruned the shrubs back last winter but that just encouraged them
to try even harder during 2002.

Before I chop back again this year does the group have any suggestions on
how to restrain their growth. Ideally I'd like to cut back hard and then put
some magic potion on some of the stumps to stop them growing without killing
off the whole thing. Is this what the 'prune and seal' type product is for ?

The real problem plants are a Berberris hedge which is too thick and a
Fuschia which just gets too big.

Thanks

Jim

--
Remove BRAIN before replying

Not sure if this is an anathema to the group but I'll give it a shot anyway


I've got a couple of shrubs and a hedge that are getting a bit out of
control. I pruned the shrubs back last winter but that just encouraged them
to try even harder during 2002.

Before I chop back again this year does the group have any suggestions on
how to restrain their growth. Ideally I'd like to cut back hard and then put
some magic potion on some of the stumps to stop them growing without killing
off the whole thing. Is this what the 'prune and seal' type product is for ?

The real problem plants are a Berberris hedge which is too thick and a
Fuschia which just gets too big.

Thanks

Jim


Jim,

There's a chemical you can buy called 'Cutlass' (cut-less) which inhibits
growth in some shrubs. It's designed to be used on hedges, though there are
some plants which they recommend you NOT to use it on. Might be worthwhile
looking out for and doing some label reading. You could also try it on a
'test' plant that you don't mind losing.

Dave.

"JimM" wrote in message
...
Not sure if this is an anathema to the group but I'll give it a shot
anyway


I've got a couple of shrubs and a hedge that are getting a bit out
of
control. I pruned the shrubs back last winter but that just
encouraged them
to try even harder during 2002.

Before I chop back again this year does the group have any
suggestions on
how to restrain their growth. Ideally I'd like to cut back hard and
then put
some magic potion on some of the stumps to stop them growing without
killing
off the whole thing. Is this what the 'prune and seal' type product
is for ?

The real problem plants are a Berberris hedge which is too thick and
a
Fuschia which just gets too big.

Thanks Jim
Remove BRAIN before replying


There are three ways of dealing with your problem:
1) Dig everything up and put up a fence instead
2) Prune hard every year
3) Start to love gardening ..............:~)

Jenny

Hi Jenny

I don't mind the gardening so much but I draw the line at self inflicted
torture. The berberris is an evil sod, covered in 2 inch spikes and no
matter how careful I am I end up like a pin cushion. I'm sure that if I had
a drink after the pruning the water would leak from my hands cartoon style


I'll give it another go at cutting back (very) hard as I just couldn't live
with a fence instead.

Cheers

Jim


"JennyC" wrote in message
...

"JimM" wrote in message
...
Not sure if this is an anathema to the group but I'll give it a shot
anyway


I've got a couple of shrubs and a hedge that are getting a bit out
of
control. I pruned the shrubs back last winter but that just
encouraged them
to try even harder during 2002.

Before I chop back again this year does the group have any
suggestions on
how to restrain their growth. Ideally I'd like to cut back hard and
then put
some magic potion on some of the stumps to stop them growing without
killing
off the whole thing. Is this what the 'prune and seal' type product
is for ?

The real problem plants are a Berberris hedge which is too thick and
a
Fuschia which just gets too big.

Thanks Jim
Remove BRAIN before replying


There are three ways of dealing with your problem:
1) Dig everything up and put up a fence instead
2) Prune hard every year
3) Start to love gardening ..............:~)

Jenny

"JimM" wrote in message
...
Hi Jenny

I don't mind the gardening so much but I draw the line at self
inflicted
torture. The berberris is an evil sod, covered in 2 inch spikes and
no
matter how careful I am I end up like a pin cushion. I'm sure that
if I had
a drink after the pruning the water would leak from my hands cartoon
style


I'll give it another go at cutting back (very) hard as I just
couldn't live
with a fence instead.
Cheers
Jim

Prune it again in summer, when the spikes are new and softer ?
Jenny



"JennyC" wrote in message
...

"JimM" wrote in message
...
Not sure if this is an anathema to the group but I'll give it a
shot
anyway


I've got a couple of shrubs and a hedge that are getting a bit
out
of
control. I pruned the shrubs back last winter but that just
encouraged them
to try even harder during 2002.

Before I chop back again this year does the group have any
suggestions on
how to restrain their growth. Ideally I'd like to cut back hard
and
then put
some magic potion on some of the stumps to stop them growing
without
killing
off the whole thing. Is this what the 'prune and seal' type
product
is for ?

The real problem plants are a Berberris hedge which is too thick
and
a
Fuschia which just gets too big.

Thanks Jim
Remove BRAIN before replying


There are three ways of dealing with your problem:
1) Dig everything up and put up a fence instead
2) Prune hard every year
3) Start to love gardening ..............:~)

Jenny

On Mon, 20 Jan 2003 20:42:24 -0000, "JimM"
wrote:

I've got a couple of shrubs and a hedge that are getting a bit out of
control. I pruned the shrubs back last winter but that just encouraged them
to try even harder during 2002.

Before I chop back again this year does the group have any suggestions on
how to restrain their growth. Ideally I'd like to cut back hard and then put
some magic potion on some of the stumps to stop them growing without killing
off the whole thing. Is this what the 'prune and seal' type product is for ?

The real problem plants are a Berberris hedge which is too thick and a
Fuschia which just gets too big.

whew For a second there, I thought you wanted to do the
impossible, for example convincing a 300' tree to stay at 5'.

As for the hedge, important motto: you don't own a hedge; it owns
you. Hedges need regular clipping. You may do better to *thin*
rather than just give the brute a haircut.

Fuchsia: in late winter, hack the thing to the ground. Maybe,
just maybe, some judicious root pruning with a sharp spade will
restrain its enthusiasm for regrowth. If you can't keep it under
control, tear it out and plant one that doesn't grow as lustily.

Or move it to a location where its enthusiasm doesn't pose a
problem.


--
Rodger Whitlock
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

mega snip

The real problem plants are a Berberris hedge which is too thick and a
Fuschia which just gets too big.

Hi Jim

Yes I know how you feel about the berberis - not my favourite plant but the
birds seem to like mine so I keep it. I cut about a third of the stems
right to the trunk (or base) every year - not an easy job but with thorn
proof coat and gloves on plus a long handled pair of loppers..... If you
snip over the whole bush it just grows lots of extras at each cut.

I would do the same with the fushia - my mum does and hers is a treat every
summer just laden with flowers. At least it doesn't have thorns!

Both shrubs are remarkably tolerant of any wicked treatment they get. If
you want to keep them though, don't prune the fushia if a frost is on the
way. I did on a communal planting scheme I was 'taking care of' quite some
years ago and had to make a quick trip to the garden centre in early spring
before anyone noticed the lack of movement on the existing bush!

--A

"JimM" wrote in message
...
Not sure if this is an anathema to the group but I'll give it a shot
anyway


I've got a couple of shrubs and a hedge that are getting a bit out of
control. I pruned the shrubs back last winter but that just encouraged
them
to try even harder during 2002.

Before I chop back again this year does the group have any suggestions on
how to restrain their growth. Ideally I'd like to cut back hard and then
put
some magic potion on some of the stumps to stop them growing without
killing
off the whole thing. Is this what the 'prune and seal' type product is for
?

The real problem plants are a Berberris hedge which is too thick and a

I was going to chop our berberis down until I saw one of the little darlings
who play football across our garden attempting to remove a ball from the
middle of the bush. Made my day.:-))

Steve