| I have several mature Rose of Sharon bushes that are leggy and overgrown. I want to prune them now to about 3 feet. Will I kill the shrubs if I cut without having a bud or limb next to the cut? |
| Marty, No you won't kill them. Such drastic pruning is often an unfortunate necessity when shrubs get way too large. Try to cut large branches back to side shoots rather than just stubbing them off. This will not alway be possible but is worthwhile as it helps redirect regrowth into a more natural form. After pruning they'll resprout and take off growing vigorously again. Be ready to do some minor training through the year to direct and control this regrowth. Some of the many new shoots that will emerge from a stubbed cut branch end will need to be removed to thin out the shrub and rebuild a more natural open branched form. Thanks for the question. Please feel free to stop in again with another question any time we can help! |
