ceanothus care

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To All:

This last winter I had a large Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman' ,which is planted on a slight slope, partially slide over on its side in a bad wind.  My husband and I pulled it back up and secured it to a very large pole which we thought was driven quite deep enough.  However, in our very wet and gusty winter, the pole was pulled out of the saturated soil, which was not the purely hard clay these plants are native to.  The problem is complicated by a gnarly twisted trunk at the base which seems to favor this new lazy position, and of course the downhill slope.

 

Our choices are to use a sturdier securing rod, like a metal stake driven more securely into the ground, OR what I would rather do: let it sit where it is most comfortable; cover the roots that have pulled up slightly with soil and build a bit of retainer to hold it; and cut off the large branches that are now on the ground weighing it over and let those that are now pointing up become the new crown.

HERE IS MY DILEMMA:  I recently read someone on this website say NOT to cut a ceanothus branch larger than 1" in diameter.  We are going into the dry season, and the plant is now done flowering.  Am I really going to do it grave damage if I cut off these two larger branches (1 1/2-2")?

I would appreciate any advice on this as I am about to do one or the other this week.

 

 

Karrie Reid

Folsom Foothill Gardener