Thanks again. I never would have thought of pruning drastically in thirds but it makes sense since the plant would be a lot more likely to accept it that way (little at a time). I don't think I would dare cut it all the way to the ground although I don't know why because I do it every year with hydrangeas, I cut it down to about two feet last year (but I don't remember what time of year it was) and now it's a good ten feet high and growing like a weed. It amazes me because it doesn't get nearly as much attention as some of the other plants because of the location. It goes long periods without water and then gets deluged every time it rains also because of its location. I'll wait until fall and if it hasn't bloomed by then I'll try that reducing it by a third. I'm feeding it Miracle Gro bloom booster but there's not a sign of a bud, just loads of new leaves. Thanks so much for the advice.

Mine grow vase like, similar to forsythia and are beautiful in the spring blooming with roses, floppy until they get some substance and then more like a vase/fountain growth depending on how they are planted and pruned but floppy is not bad. I like that casual look.

Greetings! If I am picking up on a thread that is too old to revive, please let me know. I did a search for mock orange and this came up. Bought a house with 20 foot tall mock orange, in a row about 50 ft. long. They only leaf out on the top 10 ft, and last year when we moved in, I found only 2 blooms. Sooo.... I figure my choices are pretty limited in regards to reviving them. Are they hardy enough to lop off to the ground and just hope they regrow? If that is the answer then what time of year? Our growing season is so short so I figured early in spring as soon as they leaf out? I would like to know how all of you guys have done with your mock oranges- hope to hear good news- and good info! Thanks for your input-peace

My poor birdhouse. That was also here when I bought the property, built by my uncle, according to the date scribbled into the cement surrounding the bottom of the pole - in 1947. Originally, there was a large standard crabapple tree whose limbs and branches hovered over it to some degree. I think this is what protected it from the elements all those years. It was white, with red and green trim. Well, the tree was struck by lightning and had to be taken down. :( That left the house at the mercy of wind and weather, and gradually bits came off, I would gather them and put them away thinking I would "restore" the birdhouse some day. Well, it's still never happened. Not only is it very high up, but it is bolted to a metal plate ontop of the pole; so it would take the fire dept. to get up there and remove it. ha. I feel very bad about not fixing it. Oh, and to answer you question - yes birds still manage to stuff all cavaties full of grass and whatnot for nesting. Mostly house sparrows. It may have originally been for Martins, not sure. One year, a small owl was sitting in the back waiting out a rain shower!