Q Will my philadelphus survive if I prune it from 6m down to 15cm?
Clive Daubney, by email
A
PIPPA SAYS Cutting back your philadelphus (mock orange) by so much, and removing your nearby laurel, will be quite an undertaking. However, I do know people who have successfully pruned their philadelphus right down to about 15cm. The plants survived and grew away well. That said, it really isn’t ideal and I would definitely not guarantee success.
So what can you do to reduce the risk of it dying ? First, the less you cut back the better, even doubling the amount you leave above ground level will significantly increase its chances. Wait until February or March before you prune, because if you do it now any regrowth may get damaged over winter. However, this means it will be another year before you see any flowers. After you’ve done the deed, mulch the entire root area with well-rotted manure.