ASK DIARMUID
Q
I have a large Hibiscus syriacus Red Heart, which has been grown as a standard. It is now leaning over badly and I’m finding it impossible to get it to grow straight.
I don’t want to get rid of it as it has great sentimental value to me.
I wonder if I cut it off close to the soil in the autumn, will it grow up from the root?
I have tried growing a cutting but with no success. Carol Doust, via email
A
I think it would be drastic and probably disastrous to cut a hibiscus back hard, particularly as it has been trained as a standard with a thick woody stem.