2 years ago we had to cut back a holly bush which had grown out of control. Unfortunately it just left bare branches so we decided to remove it altogether. In its place we've erected this summerhouse.
It is lovely in the summertime; I can sit and read without the sun blinding me or just enjoy my plants and watch the birds. I add potted plants, hanging baskets and bird houses on the veranda in the spring and summer. However, I think this is my favorite picture of the garden!
Re pruning. I spend time every year pruning etc but the holly bush had got out of hand before we bought the house. It was probably about 50 years old and we tried pruning it for several years before taking such a drastic step, but could never get it cut back far enough. It also had trunks like trees and was quite close to the neighbour's garden wall. I really don't like destroying things but couldn't think of any other way. I expect it would eventually have recovered but was going to take a long time and it did leave us with the best site for our summerhouse:-D
By maya (Guest Post)
02/20/2009
What a beautiful place you have.
By AKgardening (Guest Post)
02/19/2009
You wouldn't have had a bare ugly spot if you simply cut back the bush over the course of a year or two and allowed it time to fill in.
It's always good to check the best ways to prune anything before wrecking your garden because none of us really prune enough to remember it all.