Hello,

I am trying to sort out some shrubs at our house. I am a complete newbie on shrubs/landscaping, but not afraid to learn/listen.

First, I am trying to verify what these shrubs are. My leading suspicion from poking around on the web is "sky pencil holly". Here are some pictures.

First, a close-up of the flowers and leaves:



A picture of the front:



And a picture of the back:



Second, I would like to reduce the height and width, thin it some so the back is not so barren, and possibly cut it into a spiral step shape.

But since this rows in long thick canes, I am not sure I can just whack them off at the top and go to town.

Do I just simply whack off the dead stuff, choose a few cans to cut out to get more light coming through to the back?

Etc.

Basically, specific advice on pruning/maintaining this sucker.

So far, the advice I can find online is very vague and general.

Thank you for your kind attention.

 

My advise, take a small branch to your local landscape yard, not a big box store, and talk to them, they are the experts!

 

Thank you for that suggestion. Is this not a good forum for this sort of advice?

 

It's a good forum, but with limited information, local advice is always preferred. The bush in question requires 360 degree sunlight, and it is limited by the shade of the house. It is not a good plant for that location. I won't recommend removing it, but it is an option, and replace it with another shade loving shrub. Make sure your shrubs are at least 1' further away from your house than the expected growth diameter. That will keep air behind it and help the plant to survive and keep moisture from affecting your house. Many new home owners jam their shrubs to within a foot or so from the house, not realizing the plant will grow to an enormous size, only to have to remove it later.

 

.... and if the plant life is too close to the house it will deteriorate wood siding [if used] along with creating a great place for mold/mildew to grow. Bigger plants could have roots that cause an issue with the foundation.