Dwarf Bottlebrush
I recently got an email that went like this: “When do I prune my shrubs?” Me: “What variety are they? Answer: “They are green.” It is true that I have shrubs with purple and yellow leaves in my yard, but green shrubs seem to be the norm. However, the leaf color does not tell me when and how to prune a shrub. We do have shrubs here in the Lowcountry that get way out of control and frequently need to be tamed. Seriously tamed.
The easy rule of thumb for pruning shrubs is to prune them right after they bloom. Azaleas can be pruned after blooming, but no later than July 4th. I just pruned my Gardenias since they are now done with those fragrant blooms. You do not want to prune shrubs like azaleas, camellias, and gardenias in the late summer or fall because that is when they are setting their buds for their flowers. The saddest thing that I have ever seen was an azalea hedge that had been power wacked in November thus removing all the spring blooming flower buds. You should never prune shrubs with a power trimmer. Of course, many landscapers will do exactly that to save time. And shrubs should be pruned to their natural shape. I have three ligustrum shrubs along the side of my house where I let my landscaper be happy and prune them into meatballs. They are not allowed to touch anything else.
The biggest problem in this area as well as other parts of the country revolves around HOA requirements that house foundations be covered by plantings. Landscapers buy inexpensive fast growers and wedge them up again the house. Often, they are the wrong plant for a restricted area. Sweet viburnum (Viburnum oditissimum) is a favorite to use because it seems to grow overnight. The problem with this shrub is that it can reach 30 feet tall – hardly something you want growing right next to the house. There are dwarf varieties of shrubs that would be much better along the foundation.
You may have heard of “Crepe Murder,” the hacking down of crepe myrtles to ugly stubs. The reason this is done is often because the variety of myrtle used near the house is a type that grows to a large tree. There are smaller varieties that could be used. It is important to read labels when purchasing any ornament tree or shrub.
There are neat and tidy shrubs that you can use that will not require you to hack your way through a jungle and also are low maintenance. One of my favorite shrubs is dwarf bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinis “Little John”). It stays quite small and grows slowly with pollinator attracting red flowers. The leaves are interesting and a dark sage green color. There are also different sizes of loropetulum or Chinese fringe flower (Loropetulum chinense). This purple leafed shrub blooms with fringe-like flowers in the spring. The flowers come in various shades of pink as well as white. It is evergreen and easy to maintain. Sunshine ligustrum (Ligustrum sinense “Sunshine”) has yellow leaves and is tidier than the green variety. It is evergreen, however it needs full sun in order to keep the bright yellow leaves. It can grow up to six feet tall and is easily pruned in the spring to keep its shape and size.
There are also many varieties of gardenias that can be placed near a house. Look for the dwarf types such as “Radicans” which only grow two feet tall and four feet wide. Likewise, azaleas come in many different sizes and colors. The best time to shop for azaleas is in March when they are in bloom so that you can see the exact color of the flowers. There is also a native variety of azalea called “Piedmont azalea” (Rhododenron canescens). Its shape is more column-like and it can grow to six feet. It makes a nice corner of the house specimen shrub.
If you do not have hungry deer, pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira) Is a lovely shrub with creamy sweet-smelling flowers. There is a variegated as well as all green type and it is salt tolerant so pittosporum is ideal for planting near the marsh. Although it can grow to 12 feet, it takes well to pruning and can be kept small and compact.
You do not have to feel like your shrubs are taking over. It only takes a small amount of judicious maintenance. We have such beautiful views that it is a shame to have your windows blocked by plants that seem to devour your house. Pruning makes for a happy and more disease and pest free plant.
