Shrub 15 cutback

It looks like a very old Lonicera Fran. I hope it regrows, but if not you can remove it and plant something better.

thanks, Karen, I'd not been able to get an ID on it before (hence the number!). The gardeenr said it'd come back if I left a leaf on each twig, which I did (more or less) so we'll have to wait and see what happens But it must have been years since it had a proper prune, for that much twisting and tangling to have happened.

A lot of people think planting shrubs is 'less work'. Unless chosen carefully and kept regularly clipped they can be an absolute pain. The corporate gardeners at Matalan near us have several cloud cut shrubs intermingled near the entrance doors and they look very good. Just kept under control with a quick clip with a power assisted tool, about 5 species close together.

so true, Dorjac! so did I, a bit - but still knew it needed attention.

this needed rather drastic attention because of how long it had been neglected: once it's back to normal, it should need minimal TLC

I checked out cloud pruning; some looked very good, but a lot of it looked a bit urgh. I suppose a well-done pruning would look very nice - lol but i shudder to think how many urghs I'd make while learning!

They do have to be planted close together and rather mature to be cloud pruned. Its a recent developement for corporate gardeners but spectacular at a Welsh castle that I can't recall the name of. It is done on very ancient yews. Must take a photo of the Matalan ones. If shrubs are planted close they tend to be less vigorous. Steady rain all day so far.

sounds like it's more of a professional concept, for large spaces.

sorry for the rain, been gloriously sunny here - spent an hour in my pool, wallowing and luxuating (just to rub it in)