Usually, each thin branch will be cut back to within 6-8 inches above the last pruning. New branches will usually sprout from the 6-8 inches of wood left. Doing it this way, allows the branch that's left behind, to thicken and not bend so much. My SIL had one she was going to take out. It had several long trunks about 12ft long. I suggested cutting each trunk/branch to about 4ft up from the ground. If she didn't like the way it responded, then it would be removed. It came back with loads of new branches and tons of flowers. That RoS now needs to be pruned back as the newer branches are leaning over, still loaded with blooms.
Mom's butterfly bush has never been pruned and I find the branches quite brittle. and leggy. Would you be able to prune it back the same way? She has a forsythia that gone wild as well.
The 3 main colors of lantanas we have. We do have a yellow one on the end wall of the house. Butterflies and hummers are visiting them.
Forsythia are easy to cut back as they are very hardy and grow back quickly to cover any oopses. You have 3 options: They can be pruned hard just after flowering; 1/2 - 3/4 of the branch length, you don't need to be shy about it). Don't do it in fall as you won't get any blooms in the spring. Be aware that you will probably have a light bloom the next spring - but if they are really out of control it is a good option to regain the upper hand on them. If doing a full hard prune seems too drastic, you can take out about 1/3 of the canes each year a foot or so from the base (I actually get right down there, but I'm not sure master gardeners would agree with that method). In that case you can probably do it at any time and still get a decent bloom in spring. Or, just prune all canes back a little in a shape you want - see how it reacts and slowly cutting it back more as/if desired. I don't have good luck with butterfly bushes, so won't comment on cutting those back.
I cut my butterfly bush every year, late winter. I cut it back hard, leaving 12-18 inches up from the ground. It always comes back with new growth over 6ft.
Thanks! That stack behind the butterfly on lily, is ash. I'll be splitting that in a few weeks, once cooler temps arrive.
@bogieg and MikeInMa Thanks for the advice. I may take some of the forsythia stalks out now and trim some tops but do more next spring. During the winter the bare branches scrape the side of the house and windows. Next year I will have a go at the butterfly bush. Mom has a boxwood bush that is out of control as well. The center is almost bare so I thought I would just take about a 1/3 off the ends and see it it bushes out again. She has a rose bush that seemed to disappear but last year and this year we found it blooming about thirty feet up one of her holly trees. Looked a little odd to see deep red roses blooming in the branches of the holly tree.
Another of our late summer/fall bloomers. I know is old fashioned, mom has one for years, that's where we got this one from...she used to call it bleeding heart. I think it's called Turks turban...
Random pics. See it? Small mushrooms. A bit smaller than a dime. An area of native jewel weed that the deer did not eat.
