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Thu, Nov 15, 07 at 18:19
| I planted this last fall and this fall I wonder if I should prune it right down to soil level. Pros and cons? I would like to keep it somewhat in its intermediate zone of growth...not too woody and knobby.... any thots? Thanks,Ron |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| It's an elderberry which does well up from zone 3- 8. Not much information on pruning practises, but I note it is described as a decidous plant. So perhaps to be on the safe side, just mulch it and observe it next spring to see where it starts to bud up from . Perhaps it will bud up from old wood or perhaps from the root core. In practise, I prefer not to prune any plants severely in the fall time because the branches and twigs act to catch the snow which in turn creates a form of insulation. I do my heavy pruning in early spring and only after I start seeing signs of growth. |
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- Posted by ians_gardener (My Page) on Fri, Nov 16, 07 at 14:23
| I have a sutherland gold elder. As ianna has said, they are very hardy as well as very forgiving about being pruned. If you want a low bushy shrub, then cut it low to the ground making sure that you leave a small framework of older branches for the new sprouts to appear on. If you want a larger shrub, then only prune it down by half. You can also prune it during the growing season to increase its branching and appearance. I agree with ianna that pruning in the spring is best, so you can see what has been winter damaged and what is actively going to grow. Ian |
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| do deer like this sambucus? |
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| I don't think so. Every shrub I've planted at one time or another has been chewed to bits by deer but never sambucus and I have quite a few. Loads of wild ones and several varietys from nurseries. |
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| I've had one of these for a few years. The first year I planted it was fine, the second year it got WAY big and methought..uh oh...it's too big for this space.. So I whacked it back pretty hard - took about 2/3 of it off and it's been very well behaved ever since.. |
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