WE have a very large evergreen shrub called Photinia Red Robin and we were wondering if it could be pruned back hard as it is now beginning to take up too much room.

T ASHMAN

REG SAYS:

I must admit to being a bit of a Photinia fraseri Red Robin fan as I think that its red new shoots can add a touch of drama to any gardeners’ colour scheme and they make really colourful hedges too.

The good news from your point of view is that it reacts well to being pruned, as you may have discerned from my comments about using them for hedges. Therefore you can cut it back as hard as you like as they normally re-grow well.

If you want to simply stop it from spreading too much simply cut back the offending branches by about 30cm (1ft) more than you think is immediately necessary. Then when they re-shoot they can be clipped or trimmed annually to keep them to the desired size.

If the shrub is way too tall and wide then prune the whole thing back, again a little bit harder than you really need to, so that it can make new growth up to the desired height or width before receiving more frequent pruning.

The best times to do this job are in the spring, April is a good month, or during the summer.

If anyone has an established Photinia Red Robin that they would like to encourage to produce a better display of bright new leaves, simply shorten the stems by up to 15cm (6in) cutting just above an outward facing bud and the shrub will oblige you with a much improved show.

It will help things along even more if you were to feed it in late March with some general fertiliser just to give it a little added encouragement.

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Write to Reg Moule Gardeners’ Questions, Editorial, Worcester News, Hylton Road, Worcester WR2 5JX. No correspondence can be entered into. Reg Moule answers your questions courtesy of David’s Nurseries, Martin Hussingtree.

JOBS FOR THE WEEK: ● Trim pyracantha so that your autumn and winter berry display doesn’t disappear under this year’s new growth.

● Trim dwarf hedges of lavender, rosemary and santolina, but don’t cut back into the old wood.

● Collect ripening seed from plants you wish to propagate.

● Take cuttings from tender perennials such as pelargoniums and fuchsias.

● Lift and dry onions.

● Harvest the first apples and pears.

● Complete summer pruning of wisteria.

● Ensure birds have fresh water and keep ponds topped up.

● Mow less frequently if the weather is hot and dry.

● Prune rambling roses.

● Keep harvesting young crops including courgettes and summer cabbages.