|
|
|
7144 members, 153572 posts, 340 blogs
|
|
|
Spirea Bridal Veil -- how I trimmed it.
|
|
|
|
|
daisybeans Highly Skillful

 Joined: 28 Mar 2009 Location: annapolis md Posts: 1727
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 3:00 am Post subject: Spirea Bridal Veil -- how I trimmed it. |
|
This is my Spirea Bridal Veil that is growing in the front yard. Last year as I was about to trim it, I noticed a tiny fledgling hiding inside, so I didn't trim it that day -- and then I didn't get around to it the rest of the season. So it was awfully unruly this year. It was about 8 ft by 8 ft and not looking very happy or healthy with half of it falling over... and full of leaves and sticks. I hated to trim it so late -- it may affect next years blooms some, but on the other hand, so would leaving it in such an overgrown state. I trimmed mostly old growth and some newer stems around the outside perimeter... I dont' usually trim it so tightly -- it generally likes to be sort of rounder in shape but I think in the Spring, the new growth will fluff out gracefully.
This shrub has been here for about 38 years -- my mom and I dug it up when I was about 10 or so from a vacant lot before it was bulldozed for a building to be constructed. I remember bringing it home in the trunk of the car!
Spirea Bridal Veil - Before ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden )
Spirea Bridal Veil -- after trimming ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden )
_________________ Daisybeans/MaryAnn
"Once the relation between poetry and the soil is well established in the mind, all growing things are endowed with more than material beauty." -Elizabeth Lawrence
|
|
| Back to top |
|
kuntrygal Texas Rose
 Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Location: Texas ~ Zone 8 Posts: 3115 PlantStew: 313 |
| Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 3:14 am Post subject: |
|
DB I bet it is gorgeous when it blooms. Don't think I have seen one that tall. Be sure and take a picture when it blooms next year. I think the bridal veil shrubs are so pretty.
_________________ Gaylyn ~ 2277 ~
'Quitcherbellyaching'
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Green_Numb On The Way Up

 Joined: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 241 PlantStew: 3 |
| Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 3:24 am Post subject: |
|
dont know anything about that shrub but i like the story of how you got it.
the trim looks good!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
eileen Moderator & Resident Taxonomist

Forum Moderator
Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Location: Scotland (Map) Posts: 14180
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:37 am Post subject: |
|
I think it will look great come spring. Sometimes a good hard pruning does wonders for shrubs.
_________________
|
|
| Back to top |
|
daisybeans Highly Skillful

 Joined: 28 Mar 2009 Location: annapolis md Posts: 1727
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 11:02 am Post subject: |
|
I can get a little trim-happy so I have to watch out, Eileen, but I feel pretty confident that it will rebound in Spring, too. This one has a previous history of looking very pretty, KG -- I'll show you in the Spring. GN -- that thing was bigger than I was when we snagged it! The root ball filled up the trunk and hung out all the way home. My mom was a trip when it came to garden things. Talk about memories (thinking of how you are creating garden memories and traditions with your boys!)!
_________________ Daisybeans/MaryAnn
"Once the relation between poetry and the soil is well established in the mind, all growing things are endowed with more than material beauty." -Elizabeth Lawrence
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Canadian Chelsea On The Way Up

Joined: 10 May 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 233 PlantStew: 41 |
| Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 12:10 pm Post subject: |
|
We have a Bridlewreath Spirea in one of our gardens too. My husband calls it 'Sideshow Bob' after the cartoon character who had very unruly hair in 'The Simpsons'.
sideshow Bob ( photo / image / picture from Canadian Chelsea's Garden )
I trimmed it drastically last year so now it has a much neater appearance.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
carolo43 Just Arrived

Joined: 12 Jun 2009 Location: MI Posts: 18
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 12:47 pm Post subject: |
|
Looks great. I used to trim all my yard shrub up from the ground like that, even my lilac's. Let's in more light and less animals.......and easier for lawn mowing.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
stratsmom Flower Fanatic
 Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Location: Southern Oregon (Map) Posts: 1488
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 3:21 pm Post subject: |
|
I think you did an amazing job! I love that story!!!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
cuatro-gatos On The Way Up

Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 169
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 4:57 pm Post subject: |
|
DB, like most gardeners, you have a tender heart for critters and plants.
After so many years in the yard, that plant is like a member of the family!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
daisybeans Highly Skillful

 Joined: 28 Mar 2009 Location: annapolis md Posts: 1727
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 3:13 am Post subject: |
|
Thank you for all the encouragement and comments -- you're all so nice to me. We are definately a bunch of tender hearts, I do agree. I think it will look good in the Spring. It looks happier already. Sideshow Bob is a hilarious analogy!
_________________ Daisybeans/MaryAnn
"Once the relation between poetry and the soil is well established in the mind, all growing things are endowed with more than material beauty." -Elizabeth Lawrence
|
|
| Back to top |
|
gardengater Highly Skillful

 Joined: 30 May 2008 Location: NC Posts: 1566 PlantStew: 28 |
| Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:39 pm Post subject: |
|
Is there also a Bridal Veil Vine, Daisybeans? I've seen pictures. I love the lacy blooms. I don't blame you for saving this lovely shrub.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
daisybeans Highly Skillful

 Joined: 28 Mar 2009 Location: annapolis md Posts: 1727
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 12:24 am Post subject: |
|
I just googled bridal veil vine and found Stephanotis and here is a coincidence -- this plant used to grow in my neighbor's yard when I lived in Norfolk, VA and a couple of weeks ago, I was trying to remember the name of it to see if i could grow it here. Couldn't find it then to save my life. But here it is. It's a pretty vine and the blossoms smell just WONDERFUL!
http://www.plant-care.com/stephanotis-trellis-plant.html
_________________ Daisybeans/MaryAnn
"Once the relation between poetry and the soil is well established in the mind, all growing things are endowed with more than material beauty." -Elizabeth Lawrence
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
You're looking at one of the many forums on GardenStew.com. Register for free to join in the discussion.
|
|
|
|