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If he left the tops alone and they are still alive then they will grow back but it will be slowly. I agree with the timeline Fisheye gave above, you could be looking at 4 to 5 years before you see an appreciable difference.
Can you please post some pictures of the plants? It will be easier if we see the job he did on them to tell you what to expect will grow back and where to expect the new bud growth to be and how long it will be before they get full coverage of new leaves and blooms again. Knowing the colours of the blooms of each plant is important too, it can give a better timeline as to when to expect a return of full coverage growth on each plant.
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I don't own a camera at the moment, not one on my phone either....
My two-story high rhodie was fading. Large branches were devoid of green nor did they have blooms. People had remarked how spectacularly beautiful it was when it was in but those days were gone. My #2 Son agreed it needed to be "pruned". He pruned it to the ground with one small (two inch) stem left.
Growth resumed almost immediately and by the next year, it was about 18 inches tall with one bloom. By the second year, it was almost five feet tall and had eight or nine lovely blooms. Four years later and the rhodie has grown and prospered with absolutely no special care.
I agree, you should be upset at the person who didn't wait but don't despair. Time may prove that the plants are hardier than we think and the "person" will get the point of your dissatisfaction when you don't cook his supper for a month!
Oh it wasn't a spouse, rather the guy that mows my yard....
If he left the tops alone and they are still alive then they will grow back but it will be slowly. I agree with the timeline Fisheye gave above, you could be looking at 4 to 5 years before you see an appreciable difference.
Can you please post some pictures of the plants? It will be easier if we see the job he did on them to tell you what to expect will grow back and where to expect the new bud growth to be and how long it will be before they get full coverage of new leaves and blooms again. Knowing the colours of the blooms of each plant is important too, it can give a better timeline as to when to expect a return of full coverage growth on each plant.
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Please, listen to Zoisite........she is an expert on gardening.....
Please, listen to Zoisite........she is an expert on gardening.....
Sasie, there are a lot of impressive experts on this garden forum and I'm always learning something new from them. All of the responses that GBH got here have been good advice.
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I can barely talk about it...that's how upset I am....
Did you look at the link to a picture of mine four years ago in post #9? I will, if I can find my camera charger; post a picture of ours today (or tomorrow if I find that stupid hiding charger). Ours are now at a level where I can prune them and still see off our deck. They were way out of control before and it was either this or getting rid of them altogether.
Did you look at the link to a picture of mine four years ago in post #9? I will, if I can find my camera charger; post a picture of ours today (or tomorrow if I find that stupid hiding charger). Ours are now at a level where I can prune them and still see off our deck. They were way out of control before and it was either this or getting rid of them altogether.
A lot of shrubs do well with to the ground cutting back, such as azaleas, lilacs and blueberries. If done at the right time, such as right after blooming for azaleas, they won't even miss a season. Rhodies are a bit slower growing, but they will be back.
A lot of shrubs do well with to the ground cutting back, such as azaleas, lilacs and blueberries. If done at the right time, such as right after blooming for azaleas, they won't even miss a season. Rhodies are a bit slower growing, but they will be back.
Thanks...
At least he didn't cut them to the ground, just shaved off all sides of the plant.
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He sure as heck is no gardener....I am, and I was going to point out how to prune but he went ahead without me....
