I Have 5 large (over 6 feet tall) brugs in the ground, they're probably quite old. At this time of the year in LA they are sad looking, have lost many of their leaves, and flowering is over. Am I supposed to prune them every year? And how much?
pruning?
I prune mine. I cut out the tips sometimes, it makes them bushier. If they get too out of control, I chop them way back.
Why have they lost their leaves in zone 10? Mine never lose their leaves unless I let them dry out too much. I was thinking in zone 10 you would have brugs in flower all year.
ms kell, you have a perfect brug environment... not too hot and less humidity also, right? i wonder if never going dormant affects them, and they just take their rest in the heat of summer.
i've been cutting stems back that were in my way, lol.
Jenniferch, here's a link. there are a couple of europeans who have been growing brugs and hybridizing for many many years who may answer this question, i am curious too. it is an open link to the public from BGI for questions.
http://brug.standardout.com/module/forums/f/test/
The Yahoo group has been experimenting for a couple of years with pruning. Some prune back hard with good results, some only tip prune, and some not at all. I think your growing season, the variety of brug that you grow and environmental conditions all play an important part in how you will prune your brug.
Glory
Sep 06, 2003
As Kyle will tell you Burg do have a dormit or resting period even in San Diego. MAybe he will be along to explain this to all.
I have no idea what kind they are, since they were here when we moved in. My guess is they were planted in the 1960's. They are plain white, with a lovely scent. About 10 years ago I took out the very old trunks that were quite decrepit, which left about 10 younger trunks per shrub.
They're in part shade. The most I'm willing to water them is once a week. The rest of my garden, except for the vegies, is drought resistant, mostly native CA or Mediterranean plants. I do fertilize them (organic only) and put a thick mulch of homemade compost on them once a year. In bloom they're glorious, but extremely messy when the blooms drop, and sad looking about now.