pruning rondeletia amoena

23 years ago

My mature shrub is about 4m high. It is a horrible shape, more like a multiple-trunked tree than a shrub, probably through bad pruning on my part. Underneath is a large bare area where nothing will grow. I would like to achieve a tall, rounded shrub with foliage all the way to the ground. If I cut it right back to about a metre high (ie leaving just a bunch of trunks without leaves) would it sprout afresh and eventually give me the desired shape? I saw one rondeletia treated this way in Queensland, but this is Sydney. If this would work, what would be the best time of year to tackle the job? Many thanks.

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Comments (6)

Bryan_FGS
23 years ago
Give it a go, Cut it right back.
If it dies, it doesnt matter if its ugly! Plant a new one.
I've butchered plenty of things and everything seems to grow back pretty good, maybe hold off for a month or until its a little bit cooler, but dont wait until things go dormant either, because then you'll be stuck with ugly trunks without leaves until spring.
Little_Digger
Original Author
23 years ago
Thanks so much, Bryan. It certainly isn't much use the way it is. I'll let you know how I go.
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Little_Digger
Original Author
23 years ago
Well, did the deed the last week in April. Chopped back to a metre from the ground. No leaves now, apart from a few that were already sprouting low down. Cut out all the crossing branches and the ones sticking out too far into the lawn area. Plan is to keep the new growth well-trimmed and shapely, and for it to stay at about 3m. Will let you know how the experiment goes.
Andrew_NSW
23 years ago
According to Burke's Backyard, Rondeletias can be grown from semi-hardwood taken in late October to November.

Here is a link that might be useful: Burke's Backyard Archives 2001 - Rondeletia
Andrew_NSW
23 years ago
Sorry, I posted my follow-up to the wrong topic. Should have been to a question regarding growing from cuttings.
Little_Digger
Original Author
22 years ago
Well, it's August 2004 and the rondeletia has new little branches (about a metre in some spots) and even some flowers, so looks like the experiment worked. I'll prune after flowering and keep on top of it from now on. Thanks to everyone for their input.

pruning rondeletia amoena

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Bryan_FGS

Little_Digger
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pruning rondeletia amoena

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Bryan_FGS

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