I moved this bush the other day. I had no choice. I hope you can see the stems, about six of them. I would like it to be a little "bushier." Should I cut it back now, and by how much? The new foliage is just starting to open, and about all it has is on the ends of those branches. It was in the previous spot about three years, planted from nursery pot. I did lose some roots digging it up.
But that's sort of how bottlebrushes grow. They're really not "bushy" sorts of shrubs. Much more of a naturalistic, open, woodland-y kind of plant. Cutting it back might produce a few more laterals, and probably also more suckers, but they'll still grow long with most foliage at the tips. At any rate, I wouldn't cut it back now, but would wait until next fall after it has gone dormant.
Scott
If you want flowers this year, don't prune it now. Wait till flowering (June, most likely) and then prune afterward.
By transplanting, you may very well trigger some new shoots from the base anyway. See if you don't get some new stems coming up this summer.
If you don't care about losing this year's flowers, then you could drop those three taller stems by about half, "evening" out the current structure. That should help force some latent buds along the stems and from the base, and not remove all the new growth.
I hope you are not going to get the scathing cold temps that seem to be getting everyone else around here. If so, maybe save any pruning till you see what survives the next week of subfreezing weather.
I see Scott ducked in ahead of me. That's cool.
I agree with his comments on form, if you are in a shady understory situation. In full sun, however, Aesculus parviflora is a much denser beast.
When I get home, I'll post some pics. You'll want this to have some room.
I so appreciate your expert opinions. My main concern was the general advice about always pruning when you transplant. I feel reassured that I can keep it as is for now.
This new location is a brighter spot than before. Actually, there are two little sprouts at the base already. and the tallest branch has a pair of good looking buds partway down. I'm looking forward to the pictures. And not looking forward to this cold blast.
Hi SallyG,
That old advice about cutting back a tree or shrub in order to balance top growth with roots after transplanting has been discredited. It is now recommended to leave top growth alone...except for a bit of aesthetic tidying up...if you must. And I always must.
Scott
Early last summer, the guy that mows our fields found a bed where we grew stock perennials and some Bottlebrush Buckeyes from seed. It had been neglected in the spring rush and was full of 4' tall weeds. Not being the discerning type, he backed his mower in and had at it! 2' Bottlebrush Buckeyes became 6" in a hurry. They all flushed out nicely and branched well by the end of summer. I don't recommend this for them but they will tolerate it. Even the bareroot that we dug last spring looked nicer in a pot when cut back at potting time. I didn't record if the trimmed ones rooted any slower than the untrimmed.
Regards,
Ernie
Here's some at the Valley, next to a standard sized car.
again, thanks for the valuable input and experience.
that picture is impressive!
Awesome!!!!
You're just feeding it now...
Why, oh why is this plant not used more?
Scott
I have one that I bought mail order in the fall of '05, but it seems to leaf out unusually late. The buds on it are just now starting to enlarge (red buckeyes have long been leafed out). I have two more that I am starting from seed that Starlight sent me, they have already sent out radicles but no top growth yet..
Bugs like em too!
Regards,
Ernie
