Hi Jim, thank you for your videos. Like many Americans I didn't start really gardening until 2020 and now I'm hooked. I have learned so much from your videos and appreciate your time and knowledge.
I agree with everything you said Jim about carpet junipers. I use "Blue Chip" junipers as ground cover and have myself gotten carried away with my Felcos. Some gardeners are afraid to get in there and prune. I error on the opposite side. I have to be restrained and not take too much off. It's a balancing act.
I installed some Brigadoon last fall after discovering it through your videos. I cannot wait to see it flush out this spring in contrast to my red brick house!
I had already cut back my ground over St. John’s wort, epimedium, and most hellebore. I never did this before, and I told myself to do it this year before new growth. Glad I did it the way you said:) I never prune ground cover juniper or the ground cover grasses, but in 8b, they stay looking good.
Thank you Jim, we just moved into a new home and our property is overgrown with trees and shrubs growing into each other. Many will need to be removed and maybe transplanted. Lots of pruning and clean up ahead.
How would you approach adding compost and mulch to an area where you put ground cover down? The soil desperately needs the amending - do you just start over with new plants in the upper layers? Also, if your bed is mulched, and you plant a ground cover, will it root down and spread or do they need bare soil to spread?
Last summer, we fought a large bed (approx. 100 x 30 feet) with 2/3rds of it in english ivy also growing up into the trees, and 1/3rd vinca major. Had to cut and use herbicide unfortunately. So far, so good--fingers crossed that it doesn't come back this spring. Last thing I need to dig up that is showing its face is smilex--Ouch! Thankfully, it is in small patches. A nice surprise in this new-to-me flower bed are a gazillion clumps of daffodils coming up that the previous owner had planted.
All of my ground covers here in 6a basically get taken care of by winter, especially lamium when we get winters with not much snow they look like hell and die back almost to nothing then of course explode in spring. Then have a patch of variegated bishop weed from my neighbors yard that I actually like but its kept under maximum security. But it just turns to mush and disappears. Also mint has creeped into that bishop weed as well from the neighbor which does need cut, but its interesting they kind of balance each other. Its a very dry tough spot so its perfect for them
My junipers had an issue beyond spread- the lower branches were only green at the tips. The rest were wet dead needles. So now I am trying to limb them up to improve air circulation. I coincidentally drove by a parking lot yesterday with junipers where the trunks were visible. I think that this will be my goal.
I live in Oklahoma zone 7b and I have some creeping phlox. It was very beautiful last spring but has taken a hit this winter. Will it be safe to prune now for new spring growth?
Hi Jim! Thank you for this video. So much great information. I have lambs ear ‘big ears’ and never know the proper way to prune it. It looks terrible right now. What would you recommend for lambs ear care.
Agree with Jim’s advice. I have the von Stein (non-flowering) and it grows beautifully for me in full sun and part shade. Yeah…but there’s that 4-5 weeks in late winter when it just looks “icky” with dying gray leaves. I do a quick rake with a lightweight leaf rake and that removes most of the ugly stuff. Grab any stubborn remaining leafs and tug/twist to remove. 👍🏻
Yes that's fine or you can cut back everything close to ground level. I'll use a mower in late winter right b4 new growth. These are very tough plants that don't need pampering
I have wire vine that took a hit this past December. I’m in Raleigh, NC as well. Should I cut that completely back & will it return? It’s never gone completely dormant before.
Just got back inside after beginning to severely prune back some neglected burning bushes. I definitely am utilizing your advice about pruning back further than I want it to grow back to. I had to also pull up some wayward neighbor’s Carolina jasmine growing along some abutting ground to the bushes.
I have some trailing rosemary that was doing so well but this Dec snap damaged all of my rosemary plants. I’m wondering if the trailing type is something that needs pruning I’m going to wait to see if there is any new growth. They all look awful right now. But normally, do you prune those?
I have a few nandinas, they are so so slow growing 😞. Should I cut them a bit to maybe stimulate any growth, or just throw them in the trash! I want to see them grow in this life time😊
Your thoughts, or experience with Blue Zinger Sedge and keeping it in check if it has been overgrown for several years. I’ve completely pulled out 3 of them. Kind of hesitant to lose the last 2. Pull, or how would you prune? Zone 6
Thanks, Jim. I have never pruned these shrubs and don't know whether to do it or what to do: Beautyberry -- third year in the ground, bottom branches splay out on the ground and the whole thing looks leggy to me. Amsonia 'Storm Cloud" -- also third year, also incredibly leggy. And any advice you could offer on Carolina Allspice and Fothergilla 'Mount Airy', also third year -- they don't look bad but if they could look better? I'm looking for freshness and fullness, not formality.
I have a catmint underplanting a butterfly bush and was wondering when would be a good time to cut it back. Would now be a good time?... btw, I'm in 7b.
Hello Jim, appreciate the amazing video with so much information. We’re in Dallas zone 8. I have stonecrop in a container & asiatic jasmine in ground. Both look brown after recent winter storms. Are they dead… what should be done… please advise. Thanks.
Would asiatic jasmine be good to plant on a pretty steep slope where I need something to take over to prevent erosion? Other things … catoneaster, creeping raspberries, ajuga have all struggled. Thanks
I can add my 2cents! I have some in an area where I have had a previous runoff problem. It is holding, but oddly, it has shifted quite a bit. I will tell you…. It WILL run the world. Or at least is does in my zone 8a. It’s a beast I inherited! Also, it gets weeds in it and it’s so hard to get all of them out hand pulling. Outside of my complaints, it’s a SERIOUS ground cover!
Hi Jim, thank you for your videos. Like many Americans I didn't start really gardening until 2020 and now I'm hooked. I have learned so much from your videos and appreciate your time and knowledge.
I agree with everything you said Jim about carpet junipers. I use "Blue Chip" junipers as ground cover and have myself gotten carried away with my Felcos. Some gardeners are afraid to get in there and prune. I error on the opposite side. I have to be restrained and not take too much off. It's a balancing act.
I installed some Brigadoon last fall after discovering it through your videos. I cannot wait to see it flush out this spring in contrast to my red brick house!
I had already cut back my ground over St. John’s wort, epimedium, and most hellebore. I never did this before, and I told myself to do it this year before new growth. Glad I did it the way you said:) I never prune ground cover juniper or the ground cover grasses, but in 8b, they stay looking good.
Thank you Jim, we just moved into a new home and our property is overgrown with trees and shrubs growing into each other. Many will need to be removed and maybe transplanted. Lots of pruning and clean up ahead.
My favorite instructional video!!!
How would you approach adding compost and mulch to an area where you put ground cover down? The soil desperately needs the amending - do you just start over with new plants in the upper layers? Also, if your bed is mulched, and you plant a ground cover, will it root down and spread or do they need bare soil to spread?
Hey Jim this video is in your Garden Question & Answers playlist
Last summer, we fought a large bed (approx. 100 x 30 feet) with 2/3rds of it in english ivy also growing up into the trees, and 1/3rd vinca major. Had to cut and use herbicide unfortunately. So far, so good--fingers crossed that it doesn't come back this spring. Last thing I need to dig up that is showing its face is smilex--Ouch! Thankfully, it is in small patches. A nice surprise in this new-to-me flower bed are a gazillion clumps of daffodils coming up that the previous owner had planted.
All of my ground covers here in 6a basically get taken care of by winter, especially lamium when we get winters with not much snow they look like hell and die back almost to nothing then of course explode in spring. Then have a patch of variegated bishop weed from my neighbors yard that I actually like but its kept under maximum security. But it just turns to mush and disappears. Also mint has creeped into that bishop weed as well from the neighbor which does need cut, but its interesting they kind of balance each other. Its a very dry tough spot so its perfect for them
My junipers had an issue beyond spread- the lower branches were only green at the tips. The rest were wet dead needles. So now I am trying to limb them up to improve air circulation. I coincidentally drove by a parking lot yesterday with junipers where the trunks were visible. I think that this will be my goal.
Thx Jim!🌿
Great video!!! so much good information!
I live in Oklahoma zone 7b and I have some creeping phlox. It was very beautiful last spring but has taken a hit this winter. Will it be safe to prune now for new spring growth?
Hi Jim! Thank you for this video. So much great information. I have lambs ear ‘big ears’ and never know the proper way to prune it. It looks terrible right now. What would you recommend for lambs ear care.
Mostly I would just clean out the dead material and dig some out if it's wider than you want it to be.
Agree with Jim’s advice. I have the von Stein (non-flowering) and it grows beautifully for me in full sun and part shade. Yeah…but there’s that 4-5 weeks in late winter when it just looks “icky” with dying gray leaves. I do a quick rake with a lightweight leaf rake and that removes most of the ugly stuff. Grab any stubborn remaining leafs and tug/twist to remove. 👍🏻
We live in the PNW so the leaves get pretty wet and mushy. It’s not a pleasant clean up job.
Yes that's fine or you can cut back everything close to ground level. I'll use a mower in late winter right b4 new growth. These are very tough plants that don't need pampering
I have wire vine that took a hit this past December. I’m in Raleigh, NC as well. Should I cut that completely back & will it return? It’s never gone completely dormant before.
Lamium please. (Zone 5 and though it's unusually super warm right now -- upper 40s F today -- we're expecting more winter next week)
Thanks Jim.❄️💚🙃
Just got back inside after beginning to severely prune back some neglected burning bushes. I definitely am utilizing your advice about pruning back further than I want it to grow back to. I had to also pull up some wayward neighbor’s Carolina jasmine growing along some abutting ground to the bushes.
I have some trailing rosemary that was doing so well but this Dec snap damaged all of my rosemary plants. I’m wondering if the trailing type is something that needs pruning I’m going to wait to see if there is any new growth. They all look awful right now. But normally, do you prune those?
Could you plant Brigadoon in a ditch close to the driveway and tile or no?
I have a few nandinas, they are so so slow growing 😞. Should I cut them a bit to maybe stimulate any growth, or just throw them in the trash! I want to see them grow in this life time😊
Your thoughts, or experience with Blue Zinger Sedge and keeping it in check if it has been overgrown for several years. I’ve completely pulled out 3 of them. Kind of hesitant to lose the last 2. Pull, or how would you prune? Zone 6
Good Morning! Have you ever used trailing geranium? Is it a bad choice? How do I control it? Thank you for your help!!!!
Thanks, Jim. I have never pruned these shrubs and don't know whether to do it or what to do: Beautyberry -- third year in the ground, bottom branches splay out on the ground and the whole thing looks leggy to me. Amsonia 'Storm Cloud" -- also third year, also incredibly leggy. And any advice you could offer on Carolina Allspice and Fothergilla 'Mount Airy', also third year -- they don't look bad but if they could look better? I'm looking for freshness and fullness, not formality.
QUESTION, anybody:
What are the slim-leaved, purple + green shrubs growing just behind the 'All Gold' Juniper, please? TY.
Jim, your last frost date won’t be until much later. It’s ok to do this pruning prior to the last frost date?
Yes I would like to know the answer to this as well. Thank you
I have a catmint underplanting a butterfly bush and was wondering when would be a good time to cut it back. Would now be a good time?... btw, I'm in 7b.
I would wait a little closer to your average last frost date for catmint. Sometimes it will start growing and get damaged
@@JimPutnam I'll hold off until that time...Thanks, Jim!
Hello Jim, appreciate the amazing video with so much information. We’re in Dallas zone 8. I have stonecrop in a container & asiatic jasmine in ground. Both look brown after recent winter storms. Are they dead… what should be done… please advise. Thanks.
They will both likely be back. It may take a little while to get going though
Thanks for the speedy reply.
Oh I can only hope that blast killed my asiatic jasmine! I think I’ll mow it while it’s down! 😂😂🤪
Would you trim or cutback sedge?
Would asiatic jasmine be good to plant on a pretty steep slope where I need something to take over to prevent erosion? Other things … catoneaster, creeping raspberries, ajuga have all struggled. Thanks
I can add my 2cents! I have some in an area where I have had a previous runoff problem. It is holding, but oddly, it has shifted quite a bit. I will tell you…. It WILL run the world. Or at least is does in my zone 8a. It’s a beast I inherited! Also, it gets weeds in it and it’s so hard to get all of them out hand pulling. Outside of my complaints, it’s a SERIOUS ground cover!
What about Creeping Phlox? It’s a 2 season plant so far. The middle is getting a little bare.
Good question.....
Trim out the dead spots and wait for it to fill back in around it or divide larger groups into small sections and replant.
I'm more likely to just clean up dead material and do more general pruning on them after flowering when they are growing
I've noticed that asian named plants love our zone!
What about lambs ear?
Can russian sage be cut back now zone 5?
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🏆🌿🌳💚