Care of Butterfly Bush (Buddleja)

Question from Judy: My Buddleia is 10 years old and for the past couple of years, it just looks scraggly/leggy, droopy, yellowing leaves, few and puny blossoms. What am I doing wrong??? For the first few years, it produced beautifully. We have a large...

Sweetshade Pruning

Question from Richard: I’ve never done s.s. and I’m a little apprehensive about regrowth when cutting back 2 feet on a 20×20 foot specimen in Dana Pt, because foliage only at end of branches. Does it readily sprout new growth on those...

Can I prune my Podocarpus gracilior tree now

Question from Jim: Can I prune my podocarpus gracilior trees now. I have 10 trees in a row to have in a form of a hedge. Grown in the ground for 10 years in direct sunlight. My location is Encinitas, Ca. Answer from Pat: Yes, you can prune your fern pine...

Blue Sapphire Cypress (Cupressus arizonica ‘Carolina Sapphire’)

Question from Gabriele: Is it possible to keep a sappahire cypress thin and narrow by prunning? I like the soft featherly look but do not have the wide space to plant this tree around my townhouse. I was not sure if this is considered an aggressive...

When to prune climbing rose

Question from Brigitte: I have a climbing rose that might be anywhere from 20 to 40 years old. It has a very large winding trunk and looks similar to the lady banks rose except that it has clusters of small pink one inch flowers that bloom in the spring....

Pruning Sweetshade, Hawaiian Wedding Tree (Hymenosporum flavum)

Question from Katie: Can you please tell me the best time to prune my large sweetshade trees? (I live in coastal Long Beach.) Obviously I want to prune them to be able to enjoy a full bloom but avoid the fall and winter winds. Thanks for any advice you...

Pruning New Zealand Christmas tree close to a swimming pool

Question from Suzanne: How often should I prune it? how much can I cut it back?–probably 30 years old–probably at least 20 feet high. Neighbor has a swimming pool. I don’t want to take it out (it does grow to property line. Any suggestions? Answer...

Easy Pruning Directions for Many Common Plants

Question from John: Thank you Pat for all your wonderful help. I say again how much it is apprciated. Now I will spend another few hours surfing the internet to find out how to prune/trim all of the many remaining plants he planted and never retuned...

Pruning Macadamias

Question from Dave: Hi Pat, the Beaumont macadamias are doing well – sending out new growth. I noticed that they each have 3 trunks coming up out of the ground. The Cates have one well defined trunk. Is this typical or should I get ready to do...

How to Prune Leptospermum

Question from Ralph: Happy Memorial Day….a special “thank you” for any service from your loved ones. I served from 1966-1970 and can appreciate the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform servicing our great country. Thank you...

Prune with Slant or Straight Cut

Regarding pruning, perhaps in a rainy climate a slanting cut allows rain to pour off. I do not know. Here in our dry Mediterranean climate, a straight cut provides less open space for disease to enter or wood to dry out. Cuts heal quicker when cut...