Dwarf myrtle topiary - can I prune dead stems now?

11 years ago

These dwarf myrtles started as tiny topiaries about a foot tall. They
are now about 10 years old and one of them dried out over the summer. It
has always been less hardy and full than the other one. About 5 years
ago I severely pruned them in early winter, removing all the green and
cutting back to about 6-8 inches from the main stem. Only stubs
remained. I knew I was taking a gamble and was expecting them to die. I
put them in a cool dark room for the winter and in the spring there was
new growth on them. They came back and recovered fully and a year ago
were huge. I'm not sure I should try that a second time. Does anyone
have any experience with the tiny leaf myrtle and can give me advice?
I'm pretty sure the brown stems will not leaf out again as they never
have as long as I've had them. Can I prune them by 2/3 now in zone 7b
and leave them outside while the weather is warm?

Featured Answer

bibbus 7b
Original Author

9 years ago

I took this a short time ago

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Comments (11)

Xtal in Central TX, zone 8b
10 years ago
Bibbus,

I wish that someone had responded to your question. I've never worked on a topiary, but want to. I can see your angst. So, here we are a full year later... what did you do and what happened?

Xtal
bibbus 7b
Original Author
10 years ago
Well, I did it - can't remember the details actually. But long story short is that one made it and the other didn't. I repotted them at the same time. The one that made it looks great. I assume it was the one that was healthiest. It has been outside all spring and summer. Thanks for asking.
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bibbus 7b
Original Author
10 years ago
I meant to add that I cut it back very drastically - to about 8 inches from the "top" of the trunk where all the branches connect to the trunk.
Xtal in Central TX, zone 8b
10 years ago
I think if it could have come back, it would have. You put out an honest effort... that's how we learn.
bibbus 7b thanked Xtal in Central TX, zone 8b
Xtal in Central TX, zone 8b
10 years ago
I just wish that someone had replied sooner for you. I just saw this posting. Good luck.
Xtal in Central TX, zone 8b
9 years ago
Bibbus,

Can we see an updated pic?
Xtal in Central TX, zone 8b
9 years ago
This is the one that survived which looks very healthy. Good for you. What type of topiary are you working toward? A ball? Yours will be in a pot. Where will you put it?

I've got 3 dwarf Myrtles that I'm going to be using to make a hedge. Planting them 3' apart. Hopefully, they'll grow up to 6'.
bibbus 7b
Original Author
9 years ago
I brought it inside after taking the picture. it unexpectedly got to 34 degrees last night! it was a ball before bit I may wait and see how it looks to keep it like it is now. like in inverted triangle. but the ball shape is my favorite.
Xtal in Central TX, zone 8b
9 years ago
Continue posting pics of it. I want to make a dog standing on point using rosemary. Here in Texas, that should work. Just need to get some measurements of the breed.

Good luck on what you are doing. I think it will look great. I've seen houses here with Yaupon balls outside. I always wonder how they can get it so perfectly round.

Compliments to you.
bibbus 7b
Original Author
9 years ago
I will try to find a picture of a huge rosemary topiary that was killed a few years back when we had two weeks of sub zero weather in the winter. It was amazing and it honestly didn't take much to prune and keep it in ball shapes.