Ceanothus.

[gness]

Can anyone tell me how hard back I can prune a ceanothus, please?

I've let it get a bit too large and the underneath is a bit bare....though it's quite stunning just now.....t's next to other shrubs..and probably too close.....I must learn to space plants better.....

I have googled and learn that they are only good for about five years! I doubt this but maybe you know better...

Lovely evening so off out on the bike.....will look in for answers later....

Thanks Gx

[Chipchopper]

I have two beautiful ceanothus which have put on a marvelous disply this year and it would seem, attracting bees from miles around.
Mime, I would estimate to be at least 20 years old and still looking good.
When ever I've looked up on how to care for them, it usually states that they are drought resistant and pruning not necessary, therefore I've just left the alone to romp away.
I have however been toying with the idea of pruning back some lower branches, to make mowing easier, and as a rule of thumb, I would suggest pruning 'soon after flowering' so within the next couple of weeks, should be fine I m o.

[Chipchopper]

...ps, hope you enjoyed your bike ride, sure is a nice evening!

[jakep]

One of our neighbours hacked at his two years ago, just as it was about to bloom!
This year it is blooming lovely - must be quite forgiving.

[jourdain2]

Hi! It's tough stuff, so I would tend to cut back fairly hard underneath.
Mine lived for donkey's years . :)

[gness]

Thank you, Chip....I thought the five years was a bit odd....I'll give it a good chop in a few weeks then and see what happens....it's been fantastic for the bees this year.....
This has been the most difficult garden I've had to care for but I'm getting there....trial and error...
Lovely bike ride, thanks.....into the sunset which was magnificent then a glass of wine with a friend on my way home.....
Thanks again for the advice...x

Hi, Jake.....that's promising.....I need forgiving stuff in this garden...my last one was on the site of an old orchard....beautiful soil......this is clay and builder's rubble....... :-(

Hi, J....there's not too much underneath unfortunately.....it's grown up and over the shrub next to it....maybe if I take out that shrub it will sprout from underneath do you think....or is it too old at five years?.....x