I live is what may be called a wet Mediterranean climate .... most rainfal in the four winter months, then none during the summer months. Spring and fall can go either way.

I've had two santolinas planted down in on of the street beds for years. This year, we got a lot of rain during the rainy season, then, as usual, none. My sants grew quite large, but seemed to have flopped over and look woody in the center ... this is a first. They also didn't bloom much this year.

We are headed in to a month of high 90s and low triple digits and I really hesitate to cut them back because I don't want to encourage new growth. But I may be wrong. Also, now that they have these woody centers, I am wondering if they should be divided. If so, when ? Our winters can also get quite cold.

Smiles,
Lyn

Here in Tx where I grew it for years, years ago, I pruned it in the spring. I think I read somewhere that was the best time before the heat of summer and hardened off by winter. I am bad about pruning and pinching back but I believe I started with an inch and if it didn't perk up in a couple of weeks, I cut another inch
Hope this helps

Thank you, Jolana, for taking the time to respond to my question.

Yes, I normally prune them in the spring. Actually, you can really hack them back as long as you don't go into the woody part.

I think what I am seeing is due to our abnormal winter weather after three years of drought. We got a lot of rain, but did not get our usual subfreezing night temps. The plants are three times, or more, larger than they have ever been in the last ten years.

This is the first time I've seen "dead centers" on the plants. That's why I am wondering if I should plan on dividing them next spring. We are going into the high temps of summer, so I hadn't planned to do anything with them this season.

If dividing is inappropriate, the plants are easy to replace. Or I could learn how to propagate new plants.

Smiles,
Lyn

Good morning Lyn, I never had to divide mine and they spread a lot in my front yard
They weren't "confined" like it sounds like yours are so maybe that would make a difference
Hope it all works out!

Hi, Jolana ...

Yes, mine are "caged" because they are planted at the edge of the deer cage for a rose that had to be protected from deer. They do have a lot of room to spread because the deer cage is quite large.

It's just something I hadn't seen before and wasn't sure how to address. I had hoped someone had had the same experience and could guide me.

There is so much spring work, I kind of try to anticipate the spring jobs so that I can prioritize them.

Thank you, again.

It's always something.

Smiles,
Lyn

Hi Lyn, I found this for you


http://ucanr.edu/sites/scmg/Pl...

Thank you again, Jolana.

The article says they are short lived plants, but mine are now eleven years old.

Rather than just tossing them, I might as well experiment with dividing them.

You have been a great help.

Smiles,
Lyn