[rhysdad]

Hi all, i already checked the search function and couldn't find any info re pruning my large rosemary bush. I guess it stands about 4 foot tall by that again wide!
It could do with a trim really and wondered if this time of year (before it really flowers) would be alright.

Any advice appreciated please!

[Ice]

Alan Titchmarsh says to trim rosemary in midsummer after it has flowered.

[Sadgit]

Send some cuttings my way... Think both of mine have died in all the snow

[mumofstig]

Alan Titchmarsh says to trim rosemary in midsummer after it has flowered.

Trim being the operative word, as they don't take kindly to pruning (well mine didn't)

If it needs more than a light trim I'd take some cuttings first so you can replace it.... if it all goes pear shaped

[Lardman]

I also managed to kill a very old (30 years +) plant by giving it too much of a hair cut. So don't over do it.

[JayG]

Rosemary won't regrow from old wood so you can only shorten the relatively new growth (although you could remove some larger stems entirely to improve the shape.)

It does strike remarkably easily from cuttings though so that would be my back-up plan as the others have suggested because unlike most shrubs it doesn't seem to particularly enjoy the experience of pruning!

[cooperman]

as the thread suggests Rosemary does not like being pruned into the old wood - fine to snip off twigs for adding to the roast lamb and roast tatties and everything else its used for! This usage is  really a trim/prune.

Don't forget there are a lot of varieties of Rosemary, common one being "R.Officianalis", this grows to about 4ft x 4ft.  Some unusual cultivars can be bigger and the colour of leaves and flowers can vary a lot too.  There are a lot of specialist Herb nurseries around so you can get a couple of different varieties.....

Remember, they strike easily from cuttings, so always keep a few on the go just in case your main plant succumbs.  It is quite tough usually......  They grow quite well in pots as well..

[rhysdad]

Thanks for the advice everyone, will leave well alone until midsummer after flowering, then lightly trim....... 

[sunshineband]

and only cut into the new growth, not the old wood remember 


just like cooperman said

[JayG]

Oh Ref! (I said it first!)

[sunshineband]

Oh Ref! (I said it first!)

As this is not a football match the Ref can change her mind  

Sorry JayG

[Digger Tom]

and only cut into the new growth, not the old wood remember 


just like cooperman said

Yea, thats how I killed my one in the garden :-(

[MoreWhisky]

Wish i read this first 

Think i killed mine by over pruning 

If im not sure of something happening on my plot i nearly always find out first (mainly here).

Ah another mistake to add to the list 

[mumofstig]

Oh Ref! (I said it first!)

As this is not a football match the Ref can change her mind  

Sorry JayG

wot about my post? or don't it count 

[Yabba]

wot about my post? or don't it count 

mods aren't allowed an opinion

¥