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Author Topic: Help with Alpines  (Read 999 times)

kitty52

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Help with Alpines
« on: June 27, 2018, 11:35:58 AM »
I planted a variety of alpines last year for the first time and they have done remarkably well - too well in fact.  Is there anywhere on the site or with advice on 'pruning' or cutting back alpines in particular Erodium as they are taking over!!  Any advice would be appreciated thanks.

Maggi Young

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Re: Help with Alpines
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2018, 12:30:47 PM »
Now this is a good "problem" to have!  Difficult to generalise - but of course that won't stop me doing so!! ::)

It is usually  good policy to cut back any plant getting a little too big for its place  after flowering.  To just behind the flowers is  sage enough - if in doubt, try a couple of shoots to see if growth  breaks  from the cut section.  For  herbaceous/perennial subjects  one may even cut  quite hard back after flowering without damage to the plant. 
For woodier subjects,  caution is advised -  some plants ( even shrubs and trees) will re-sprout well when cut back  while others  sulk and  refuse so to do.  Again, trial cuts on one or two  stems  is advisable to be sure the  plant will accept such treatment. It can often be risky for these woodier  plants to cut  back beyond  "green" growth areas.

 Hope this gives you a start, Kitty!
Margaret Young in Aberdeen, North East Scotland Zone 7 -ish!

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kitty52

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Re: Help with Alpines
« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2018, 05:36:11 PM »
Thanks Maggi for that.  Agree it is a good 'problem' - will follow your advice.

 


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