cuttting back Osmanthus

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levilyla Baltimore, MD(Zone 7a) Jan 14, 2007

Can I cut back my Osmanthus (the all green one) way far back. they are old and I want them much shorter. It would mean that they would probably be only stumps. I know Ilex comes back like this ...but will this?

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Resin Northumberland, United Kingdom(Zone 9a) Jan 14, 2007

It should do - other genera in the Oleaceae do so very readily (think of privet).

Resin

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levilyla Baltimore, MD(Zone 7a) Jan 14, 2007

Thank you Resin

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runktrun Edgartown, MA(Zone 7a) Jan 14, 2007

levilyla,
Will you be cutting back more than 1/3rd of your shrub? I am hoping to cut my 'goshi' by half but think this might be too drastic for even Osmanthus. Interesting note what I always assumed was wind damage (thanks to a winter of warm temps and high winds) to the late fall new growth I now believe is either the result of cold temp or sun burn.

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levilyla Baltimore, MD(Zone 7a) Jan 14, 2007

yes...I am thinking of cutting it back almost all the way LOL Maybe to 2/3 feet (there will be almost no green left on it) Kind of scary.

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Resin Northumberland, United Kingdom(Zone 9a) Jan 15, 2007

Privet - you can cut it down to a ground level stump, and it'll re-grow all too readily

Ash - ditto

Forsythia - ditto

Lilac - ditto

Olive - ditto

Osmanthus will be just the same. Go ahead and cut right back hard.

Resin

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CoreHHI Bluffton, SC(Zone 9a) Jan 15, 2007

I agree with Resin. I've cut Privet to the ground no problem and olives.

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levilyla Baltimore, MD(Zone 7a) Jan 15, 2007

Thanks again Resin....and this would be a good time of year to do it right?

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escambiaguy Atmore, AL(Zone 8b) Jan 15, 2007

Oh yes, privet unfortunately will always come back. I have cut what seems like thousands.

I do have an Osmanthus (devilwood) that's getting kinda leggy, I may have to do the same to it.

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runktrun Edgartown, MA(Zone 7a) Jan 15, 2007

levilyla,
My Osmanthus 'Goshiki' (meaning five colors...but I can only find four) like most variegated plants is probably a little more tender than the non variegated forms of Osmanthus, that said I am going to wait until the end of March. kt

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levilyla Baltimore, MD(Zone 7a) Mar 02, 2007

Resin...this is what my husband did to the Osmanthus. Now will THIS still come back?????

Thumbnail by levilyla
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Resin Northumberland, United Kingdom(Zone 9a) Mar 02, 2007

Don't see why not!

I've seen Ligustrum sprout from far harder pruning than that, and they're related.

Resin

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levilyla Baltimore, MD(Zone 7a) Mar 02, 2007

Thanks Resin, for giving me the nerve. .......we have to replace the railroad ties with stone right next to them.... if for some reason they don't come back I guess it's no big loss.. I'll post picture later in the year.

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