Cloud Pruned Pittisporum

Very good crissue....I wouldn't have the confidence to try this......yet!!!!! :))))

Well done! I think it will shape up nicely now! Definitely much nicer than a rounded blob!

H had a good look at it last night, and cheeky said, tho he didn't have the confidence to start it, he will finish it for me, he thinks there's a bit more thinning out to do, so I'll let him take over...On his head be it lol...

Great idea. Crissue, by sheer coincidence cloud pruning was featured on a programme called Love Your Garden last night and I am tempted to try it. I just need to pluck up the courage first though!

Hi Frybo...sad to say I missed it, darn...We were watching Murray/Lubicic....Wimbledon Tennis...I've done several Box type prunings over the years, but never a Cloud Pruning, or on anything as soft as the Pittisporum...I read a comment that Karen made about pruning a Pittisporum, and started to look at ours, to see if it would go, I was dead nervous, as you can't put it back once its off :))....What Shrub did you have in mind!!...good luck...

Crissue, I have a euonymous about three feet tall. However, the leaves are bigger than a pittosporum so I'm not sure I would get the right effect. Am still deciding what to do.

Frybo - I saw euonymous topiary - albeit as a standard ball on top - at Dobbies Garden Centre yesterday, they were selling for £30.00 each. The balls themself were looking rather 'leggy' but it did shape up to a ball.
I would guess that all dobbies would have these in stock, if able, you could pop in and have a look to help with your decission.
I visited 3 GCs yesterday and could not believe the amount of 'cloud' pruned topiary they were offering for sale, and the prices were sky high!!!!

Hi Frybo Hi Scottish...sorry I'm a bit late answering...I was in Hosp. mon having a little op...and wasn't that with it yesterday...Can't do anything strenuous for a while, but I think working on the PC doesn't count (wink)

I love Euonymous, and I brought mine with me from the I.O.W....I don't see why it can't be done...I haven't had a look at mine, but I will today...Mossy is the expert on Cloud Pruning, he did give me some advice on doing the Pittisporum, but I had already done mine by the time he had got back to me..not his fault, he'd been away...
I should imagine it will be fun to do, and you've given me an idea too... :)) I'll copy Mossy's instructions, and post them here, you can see what you think...

There are two solutions,
(1) Keep the three tallest, straightest best stems and cut off all growth on them from the soil to about 20cms high, then leave all the growth for the next approx 30 cms, then cut off all growth for the next 30 cms, then leave all the new growth on top.
Plait the three stems together and tie up on the top and middle with raffia.
You can now start to shape the three growths into the shape you want, i.e. the cloud.
OR
(2) Keep the tallest, straightest stem and repeat as before.

This is what Mossy suggested with the Pittisporum, must admit I didn't tie or plait, but all options...

Thanks very much Crissue and Scottish. I will have a go and put a before and after picture on here.

Wishing you a speedy recovery Crissue.