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Expert Tips
Yew
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Prune yew as hard as possible after the risk of harsh frosts has passed – in Britain this usually means from the last week in May and into June. Don’t begin trimming until you see about 8-10cm of new growth. This is also a good time to re-new and reshape an old hedge which has grown too wide. You can cut back hard into old wood as unlike most conifers , yew has remarkable powers of regeneration. Finish trimming yew by the end of August so that subsequent re-growth is hardened off before the winter. |
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Unlike box, yew dislikes being grown in pots for any length of time. |
Holly
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Holly roots may be damaged by black plastic mulches due to overheating. Straw is a much safer option. |
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Pinch out the shoot tips of holly to promote branching further back down the stems in late May |
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Don’t be surprised if two supposedly identical holly plants have different growth patterns – holly is frightfully wilful! |
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The Art of Topiary 
