I've been a bit negligent with my shrubs, and after giving them a drastic trim to make our sidewalk usable, they're looking quite bare now. I've got golden mops, some prickly barberry bushes, and a boxwood that I've also trimmed down. I'm hoping that this will lead to better growth in the long run, but right now, I'm worried they might not survive. Aside from watering them regularly, what kind of fertilizer should I be looking for to help them bounce back? I heard about a 10/10/10 fertilizer but can't seem to find it in stores. Any suggestions for something I can buy locally?
3 Answers
If you’re looking for better results, consider giving that barberry a more aggressive trim. They’ll bounce back better if you cut them back more, but be careful not to do the same with the golden mops. Just make sure to use a slow-release fertilizer and only apply it if the weather isn't too dry. If it’s really hot out, it might be best to wait until things cool down a bit before feeding them.
10/10/10 is what you're referring to, which stands for the ratio of Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium. You should be able to find it at any garden center or home improvement store. Keep an eye out for that, and it should help your shrubs thrive!
Thank you!
Just a heads up, barberry can be invasive and may carry Lyme disease. I know it’s tough to think about, but you might want to consider removing them altogether. It's an option worth considering given the impact they can have on the environment.
Thanks for your advice!