Shaping and Trimming all depend on the species. The following guide will help keep you right.

Ilex crenata

Really needs very light trimming but a good trim early summer once the new foliage has started to turn green. Late summer this can be repeated if you plant is looking untidy.

Taxus / yew

No regular pruning necessary for this cloud tree, but trimmed back and shape in early summer as the new growth fades from bright green to dark green. Yew's often give a flush of growth in mid-season. To keep their neat appearance, they can also be pruned again in mid-to late August.

Buxus / box

This evergreen shrub really needs very little trimming a good all over haircut early summer can sometimes suffice for the whole year. But if your plant produces more growth and is still looking raggy at the end of the summer then a light trim late August will do no harm. Try not to clip the first planted season as this will allow the roots to establish.

Conifers

Early summer for most varietys and a good shear normaly does the job. Pines are a little bit more tricky than other conifers as these prefer to be bud pruned.This is done by removing the central growing bud (candle) leaving about two of the smaller side buds or (candles) this is normally done as soon as possible when visible growth is there early summer. These remaining candles can then be pruned back in late summer when side buds from the candles can be seen normally half way.

Where to grow

Again this depends on the species used but these general tips should help.

No plant enjoys been in a container more than been in good well drained fertile soil. But if you do not have this available then remember that they will be like a very young child that is totally dependant on you for all their needs. This will include watering feeding and keeping clear of pest and disease. Remember if you go on holiday and if you have not set up an automatic irrigation system then you will have to arrange a friend or family to check for watering.

If planting directly into ground then don’t take risks with very open windy conditions with some of these plants taking up to fifty years to grow been very expensive it’s just not worth the risk. Instead choose a good sheltered spot where they can be viewed.

Feeding

If you are growing them in containers then for best results use a slow release fertiliser such as Osmocote this will normally last all season but if you find the foliage turning pale then a liquid feed could be applied during the growing months. Alternatively use a general fertiliser in early spring and again mid summer if it is not to dry.

Pest and diseases

Brown Leaves? The most common problem is suffering from irregular watering. This is especially important when growing in pots these plants can die in the winter as well as the summer from lack of water when grown in pots. General pests ate easy to control but do watch red spider mite in hot summers especially on pines.