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Look what I took on this week…
Actually I shouldn’t have taken it on at all, being as I’m hopelessly overloaded with work already, but when you’re offered the chance to garden at a 16th-century house which happens to contain the village museum, and it’s got a wisteria on the front that’s at least 60 years old, probably older, then I ask you – how can you possibly resist?
The owner told me she hadn’t been able to see out of her bedroom windows for a while, and I’ll admit to being a little nervous.
Four hours later… this is how it looked. In the end it wasn’t too difficult, just time-consuming: I worked my way along all those main branches and took back every side shoot to about 2-3 buds, though I went easy on those which were obviously about to flower so the owner would have a little bit to look forward to this spring. As I said to her, once I’ve given it its summer pruning too, it’ll be back under control, and with luck and a following wind, it’ll be smothered in flowers next year. And she’ll be able to see out of her windows, too!
Sally Nex 
Altogether now… ‘What a difference a day makes…’Have a great weekend CG!
Well gosh! When I first looked at the ‘after’ shot, I thought ‘she’s wrecked it.’ But then I looked more carefully, and read your bit about pruning all the side shoots, and suddenly felt absolutely exhausted. A wonderful plant which should shine and thrive under your protection. Wisterias are magnificent when the pruned stems get increasingly gnarled and ancient.I’d be a bit worried about that damp patch, though! The gutter spigot thingy must be blocked. Ouch!
yes I confess (I hope my client doesn’t read gardening blogs – doubt it somehow) that I had my heart in my mouth as I started. I’ve dealt with plenty of wisterias, but none as old as this one. I may still have wrecked it as it’s bound to have been a bit of a shock to the poor old girl: but I did try hard not to be too hard on her! Fingers crossed…and yes the building is in less than good repair. I think money has been rather short for a while now. Some of the tiles are very loose on the roof, too.and have a good weekend VP and all, too đŸ˜€
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Good work! I am impressed.I’ve been removing the massive and monstrous from my garden over the past couples years. Simply cannot keep up with the power gardening I could once accomplish after losing myself in pruning. Drop by my Bay Area blog,
Another comment but this one, a question:After finding your blog, is there a way to find your plot on Blotanical if you have a different username there?I didn’t see a ‘wellylady’ ….my blog: http://BayAreaTendrils.blogspot.com
I’m The Constant Gardener on Blotanical Alice :Dthanks for the link – I’ll be over shortly…!