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Rhododendron 'Blue Baron' Greetings from a wet, wet garden. In between rains, I've managed to get a few photos... (And sorry for the erratic quality of these. I have a new phone and still learning how to use it. Some of these are from the phone and others from my camera). Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium' ('Dancing Peacock') Flowering Currant ( Ribes sanguineum ) 'King Edward VII' Clematis 'Stolwijk Gold' is beautiful for the first time after languishing in the garden for five years. Turns out, it is all my fault. This is a clematis that should not be cut to the ground in early spring. You live and learn, and I know that I will never understand the rules of pruning clematis.  Clematis 'Stolwijk Gold'  Aucuba japonica 'Rozannie' - the aucuba that doesn't really look like the others.  But what a fine shrub this is, especially for shady situations. This was planted in 2019 and didn't grow much for the first few years but n...
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Pruning the St. John's Wort


The St. John's Wort (Hypericum 'Pumpkin') was one of my favorite shrubs last summer, a real stunner in early July. I'm hoping for a repeat this year and pruned it a few days ago. I had planned to take it back about halfway but after watching some videos, I found that most people cut it completely back to the ground. Which is what I did.

Before -


 

 And after -

Another good reason for pruning it is to be able to see Rhododendron 'PJM'. It looks puny here but since this was taken, the blooms have opened more and it is looking better. Maybe it felt crowded.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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  1. chavlinessMarch 29, 2021 at 7:48 AM

    You are a brave soul. A second "after" photo in early July is a must.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kris PetersonMarch 29, 2021 at 2:22 PM

    Wow. St John's Wort never grew like that in my garden. I hope you get another fabulous summer display.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lisa at GreenbowMarch 30, 2021 at 2:22 AM

    Gosh I wonder if my St John's Wort will get this big?? I doubt it but glad to know you can cut it down if need be.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hoover BooApril 1, 2021 at 8:50 AM

    It's a beauty. Great it can take a total refresh. Yes, a July photo will be a must.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dorothy BordersApril 3, 2021 at 9:43 AM

    That St. John's wort was a beauty in bloom. I've tried growing it before but never that successfully. Obviously, it is happy in your garden.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Karin / Southern MeadowsApril 7, 2021 at 5:05 PM

    I have never prunned my St. John's wort. Maybe I need to try it on one of mine and see how it performs. Mine SJW have gotten rust in the past and then they slowly decline.

    ReplyDelete

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