"JimM" wrote in message
...
Hi Jenny

I don't mind the gardening so much but I draw the line at self
inflicted
torture. The berberris is an evil sod, covered in 2 inch spikes and
no
matter how careful I am I end up like a pin cushion. I'm sure that
if I had
a drink after the pruning the water would leak from my hands cartoon
style


I'll give it another go at cutting back (very) hard as I just
couldn't live
with a fence instead.
Cheers
Jim

Prune it again in summer, when the spikes are new and softer ?
Jenny



"JennyC" wrote in message
...

"JimM" wrote in message
...
Not sure if this is an anathema to the group but I'll give it a
shot
anyway


I've got a couple of shrubs and a hedge that are getting a bit
out
of
control. I pruned the shrubs back last winter but that just
encouraged them
to try even harder during 2002.

Before I chop back again this year does the group have any
suggestions on
how to restrain their growth. Ideally I'd like to cut back hard
and
then put
some magic potion on some of the stumps to stop them growing
without
killing
off the whole thing. Is this what the 'prune and seal' type
product
is for ?

The real problem plants are a Berberris hedge which is too thick
and
a
Fuschia which just gets too big.

Thanks Jim
Remove BRAIN before replying


There are three ways of dealing with your problem:
1) Dig everything up and put up a fence instead
2) Prune hard every year
3) Start to love gardening ..............:~)

Jenny