Re: Teucrium fruticans

Julie wrote:
> 
> Does bush germander want to be cut to the ground every so often?  Or is it
> short-lived?  I planted one 6 or 7 years ago; now it is woody and sparsely
> leafy.  Nearby are a couple of vigorous youngsters.  Are these seedlings or
> root sprouts?  Should I whack off the mother plant?  Set fire to it?

Julie
In my experience it really needs regular moderate trimming back (by
about 1/3) to keep it healthy and compact.

I have never grown it in my garden, but have cared for bushes in others
and haven't been too fussy, just cutting it every time it got leggy and
unattractive. 

If your bush is 6 or 7 years old and has never been pruned I expect it
is in a pretty poor state and the only thing which might revive it is to
cut it almost to the ground, just leaving the bases of the main shoots.
This will either kill or cure it.

Try to do it when there is sufficient moisture in the ground to
stimulate new growth, which should give it the best chance of reviving.

As to your two youngsters, they might be root suckers or separate
plants.  whichever I suggest investigating them and trying to pot them
up, so you have an insurance if your drastic prune proves fatal. 

And please do at least give them at least an annual haircut, so they
don't end up in the same sad state as mother.

Moira

-- 
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, 
New Zealand (astride the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
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