Towering Trio of Texas Rangers

18 years ago

I have three shrubs, which I believe are green leaf Texas Rangers that have all grown together and are monsterous. Between the three of them, they are about 9 ft tall and 12 ft wide. I would like to prune them back, however when I set out with my clippers, I found that the undergrowth is all dead and any fruitful pruning will reduce the shrubs to a pile of twigs.

They aren't so huge that it can't wait, so I am hoping someone can help tell me what is the proper time of year to do this? If it's okay, I'll do it now, but I can wait 'til Fall or Spring if need be. Also, any tips on pruning it back? Should I keep them growing into each other, or prune them back so that each bush is separate from the group?

I have a picture, but being new to the forums, I don't know how to attach it.

Thank you!

Kati

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Comments (7)

birdlady_in_mesa
18 years ago
Hiya Kati! Welcome to the Forum! I trimmed mine back last weekend and they have already sent out new shoots. I would say if they are really monsterous, I would trim back about 1/2 as much as you want, give them a couple weeks, then trim again. Keep trimming them back until they reach the size you want them to be. These guys are pretty tough, just witness how they are chopped and shaped by maintenance workers all over the place and they still grow and bloom. I kinda like the untrimmed, but controlled look (not easy to get) and my husband prefers to bonsai them into little round balls on the end of gnarled branches. So, we have 1 groomed and one carefully pruned to stay within boundaries, but not look like a squared off bush!

HTH
Susie
katesgarden
18 years ago
kati, you can prune them as far back as you want and i'll bet they'll grow back quickly and more lush than ever. being that large they will grow quickly at this time of year
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MaryMcP Zone 8b - Phx AZ
18 years ago
Anyone know the botanical name? I Google Texas Ranger and all I get is the new Chuck Norris show, Walker, Texas Ranger. I could use a monster shrub/bush. We have about 150' of real ugly chain link fence to cover. Have thought of using oleander but other options would be nice to consider.

Thanks.
Mary
adp_abq
18 years ago
The botanical name is leucophyllum frutescens (at least for the most common variety).

Here is a link that might be useful: leucophyllums
barbeehd
18 years ago
I cut mine back as far to the ground as I could and they started coming back immediately. A little water helps them along. you can shape them into anything you want and they don't care a bit !
aztreelvr
18 years ago
The best time to prune the Leucophyllums (aka Texas Sage, Texas Ranger) is in January when they are dormant. Plus if you wait till then you can still enjoy the blooms which will form at the ends of the existing branches and continue until October or so.

After pruning they will look pretty bare until new shoots begin to grow - usually about March. Mature plants seldom need supplemental irrigation. Usually you can cap off emitters to plants that are three years old or more. If you aren't overwatering, you should only need to prune once a year.
judy_b
18 years ago
I thought one of mine was dead so I chopped it off at ground level. Not dead, now about 5 feet tall. I've had others that I kept trimmed into low trees. I trimmed the lower branches whenever I thought they needed it. They are amazingly resilient.

Towering Trio of Texas Rangers

Comments (7)

birdlady_in_mesa

katesgarden

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