Cut and Slash



Kolwitzia

 The time has come in the gardening year to get brutal.  To start cutting back, chopping out and raising to the ground.  Pruning, one of my favourite gardening rituals, is upon us.  Shrubs that have outgrown their space, got leggy or died back, all get the treatment.  The Kolwitzia pictured above is a prime example.  All the flowers were at the top of the plant, it stands about 10 feet tall and creates a lot of shade beneath.  So yesterday evening I began the mammoth task of getting it under control.  Unfortunately, it means that it won't flower next year but something has to be sacrificed  in the name of a bit of order.  I am half way through the job but will continue bit by bit until all the woody stems have been removed - it could take some time!