Pruning Shrubs

[Robinia]

Have any of you lovely gardeners hard pruned, into old thick wood, any of the following shrubs and had them live to see another year?!!  I read all the books but there's so much conflicting advice when it comes to renovation pruning.

Olearia haastii (Daisy bush)

Lonicera fragrantissima (winter honeysuckle - think this one will be ok)

Cotinus (smoke Bush).

[netibiza]

Oh shaney love, you are not grumpy, just a bit out of sorts and who can blame you? How are your ailments, have they abated?

[LoftyLottie]

Night night everybody. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[woofgang]

Nighty night xxxxxxx

[woofgang]

morning all, darling doggy rolled again this morning...getting beyond a joke now

[netibiza]

Morning all, be back later!

[Jude123]

Good morning all! Lap-top for repair today. take care and have a good day I'll be back!! see yer later 'gater(s) :~)

[Robinia]

<zombie totters in>....Good morning...oooh, had a rotten night, bad attack of the collywobbles. Nothing actually happened, I was just doubled up in pain until the early hours. I know I've overdone things lately & I'd felt grotty all day so maybe it was just an ibs thing due to tiredness & poor digestion.
And when I get up feeling exhausted all the sad stuff washes over me....and I'm fed up trying to do everything....<mumble.... grumble>
Hey ho, sun's shining so I might feel better later on.

A dream on legs called Miloš Karadaglić cheered me up earlier though, he was on bbc news playing the Spanish guitar, just lovely. I think I might order the cd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XFG5h59Dpc

Chins up everyone, kbo and all that....x :o)

[LoftyLottie]

Take heed of Auntie Lottie. Have an easy day Robi. Just sit back and relax and enjoy the sunshine. Let it all wash over you. Play some soothing music, and read a good book.

I have just returned from vet with Alice who had her jabs today. She is perfectly at ease in the car and in the vets - not like wimpy Meggie, who is a real drama queen.

Just having a short break before catching up on some very necessary chores that can't wait any longer.

I just love this weather. I don't want it to change - no colder and no hotter. It's perfect. The garden just looks lovely. Megan is out there sunbathing. Alice has gone back to bed on our bed. Mr LL has gone to London and I don't envy him one little bit.

Be back later.

xxx

[LoftyLottie]

What did darling doggy roll in this time Woof? Boys will be boys you know. Meggie is a real little lady at times, she hates being dirty!

Perhaps that's why she is obsessed with swimming in the river!!

http://i56.tinypic.com/2cf9rma.jpg

[woofgang]

she really is a sweetie Lottie, so dainty. Not sure what the flavour was this morning, happily not pungent enough to be foxes. He makes sure he get loads of it on his collar which i then have to touch (urghh) to clip his lead on as I don't trust him in the car park.
Robi, when i get bad IBS, it makes me feel like the aftermath of the flu....and sometimes being sad brings on the IBS. I can't improve on Lottie's prescription except for me I would add a cup of mint tea. Shaney, i hope you haven't done murder yet....

[LoftyLottie]

Agree completely with Woofy about IBS. If I am below par I always get it. I am either OK or not OK, no happy medium!! Bad arthritis and joint pains means bad IBS and allergies as well. I read recently that there is a link between arthritis and allergies that runs in families - it certainly does in ours.

Yes, Megs is a sweetie Woof, but I didn't think so at 4.45 this morning when she decided that her day should start with loads of barking!! My legs don't work when I first get up - fortunately, Mr LL took charge this morning.

[netibiza]

I've just had a bout of IBS since Saturday, the stomach cramps were awful then constipation, then diahorrea, hopefully it's easing today.

Chin up Robi, do as Lottie says, just relax and if you want to cry, then cry, it's not a bad thing!

[netibiza]

lottie meant to say is that meggie, she is adorable, so so sweet!!!

[netibiza]

Saw Monday's Eastenders last night and sobbed my way through it all!!!

[LoftyLottie]

Woof, I thought of you yesterday. I popped into M & C. Believe it or not, we do have one in our town - about the only clothes shop though except for one really cheap and nasty one and a couple of shops only fit for the rich county set, with prices to match. (Hence I don't clothes shop in Fakenham) I digress.

Anyway, I saw this and it was just lovely.

http://www.mandco.com...invt/1210750chambray/

No sleeves, I am afraid.

If you take a look at the other dresses they have on that site - you will see they beat M & S hands down.

[jno]

morning all, back in the UK and a rather nice morning. Long long flight of course, 29 hours I think, but the house is looking good (except for jno jnr's former room, which after a brief period of civilisation now looks like a tip again as he has had to dump things there in the move from old flat to new. I expect some words may be spoken on the subject.)

The robinia is out, and even the oak is in full leaf, which I think is a bit earlier than usual.

A nice warm welcome to all.

[shaneystar2]

I've got IBS on and off all the time lately and now they've sent me another one of those bowel cancer test kits .I can't be bothered to do it this time though .It didn't help Mr S. His came back clear and look what happened. So I've no faith in them now .

Sorry you are feeling under par Robinia. Take it easy and have a quiet day.Off AB preferably which is guaranteed to make you feel like lying a darkened room at times ...lol.

Euuugh not Mr Foxy poo Woofy ..that was one of Shaney's favourite tricks .
Lovely day here so I'm getting orf my hamster wheel for an hour to go the library and purchase a few things round the High St .
T.Pip for now

[LoftyLottie]

Just for jno xxxxxxxxxxxx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnjEPMYr6Pw

[LoftyLottie]

Morning Shaney xxxx

[LoftyLottie]

Your fault Woofy!!!

Whilst on that M & Co thread, I saw this and have ordered it:

http://www.mandco.com...enlarged&layout=empty

I might just wear it to the wedding!! But it will be will black tights if I can bear the thought of wearing tights. If not it will be with socks and me hiking boots!!