pruning smoke bush into smoke tree
flowergirl78
11 years ago
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brandon7 TN_zone7
11 years agoRelated Discussions
Smoke Bush pruning question
Comments (40)I know this is an old thread but maybe someone could help me. I purchased this home in 2012. It had an established, run down garden. I didn't do much the first year because I was more focused on house repairs and renovations. The next year I got to work. Anyway, there are two ancient smoke bush shrubs. One has redish purplish leaves. The other has coppery with a purple tint leaves. Both have multiple big trunks where new growth grows from the top of each. I have no idea what varieties these are but they do leaf out and put out smokes. Anyway, this year, after a horrible winter, one smoke bush is leafing out but the other looks quite dead. Just a few little leaves on the bottom of one trunk only (out of 6 trunks). I don't know what to do with it because it is in a prominent area of the garden. I just heard on the news that this is the lowest rainfall for May on record. Could this be the reason why it's not leafing out? I don't ever water the shrubs but they do receive residual watering when I water the lawn, so I've pretty much counted that out as a reason. Any ideas? I know it's a little late in the season but is pruning an option. I only did a light pruning when I got down to business 2 years ago. Thanks for any info....See MoreSmoke Bush Question -Want Smoke
Comments (12)did you google REJUVENATION PRUNING OF FLOWERING SHRUBS ???? why in the world any so called expert.. would NOT know how to trim this bush is beyond me.. and makes me wonder about his CV .... curriculum vitae ... and for the cost of a saw .. $10 at tractor supply ... i dont know why you would pay anyone to do it ... and let me know what this dude charges you ... maybe its worth a drive from adrain.. lol ... but then i would violate rule 3 above ... you cant really have rule 3.. and do this properly ... and that is why you are spinning your wheels ... all flowering shrubs.. you enjoy the show.. then prune when its done flowering .. so it can set its buds in late fall for next year ... or if the other type.. grow the new buds in spring .... ken...See MorePruning a smoke bush in late October?
Comments (9)Judi, Just prune off DEAD wood in the fall, now. If in doubt, do nothing. The only way a smoke bush or tree should be pruned is COPPICING. So, if you don't want to cut it down to the frame, just look real close and make sure what you are cutting off is absolutely brown, dead. Next spring you will have your bloom then. Just cut dead. Not live. If you look at the branch closely, you will see little "bumps" or spots where the branches for blooms come from. (just for your info, to answer your questions on where it blooms from). WHen it has no leaves on it, and it is bare, stand back and look at it from about 12 feet. You will see the bush's frame. WHen you go to coppice it, you cut off every single branch down to the main trunk of each arm. That is what coppicing is. Some people cut it all the way to the ground nd leave about 3 inches of main stems, which you can also do, but you will not get any blooms that year cutting it to the ground. When you just cut all the stems back to the trunk, you will get some blooms, and beautiful foliage too. It all depends on how big you want the bush to be and if you want blooms or not. Good luck to you, you have a wonderful bush. I'm looking for a Velvet Cloak for next spring....See MorePruning butterfly bush, russian sage, smoke tree
Comments (14)There are a lot of different things that use the common name, sage, Susan. Is it Russian sage? Can you tell us what the botanical name of your sage is--possibly from the landscapers plan? If not, can you post a few pictures? What to do with it will really depend on just exactly what you have. With more information somebody should be able to help you. Oh, and are you in the Rocky Mountain area? What's your zone? Welcome to RMG, Skybird...See Morelaceyvail 6A, WV
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11 years agoSara Malone Zone 9b
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6 years ago
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5