The summer went so quickly that the bushy overgrown Delavay Tea Olive or Sweet Olive I promised to prune into shape just never got the attention it deserved. This weekend, better late than never, we finally waded into it, removing tons of dead thatch from under the canopy, as well as a bit of excessive new growth. My research suggested that the optimal time for trimming was in summer, just after blooming, but that to do it now would not be too detrimental to the shrub. We may have fewer blossoms next year, but the job is done and we live with the fallout. I’m so thrilled with the result! Now I think it needs spotlighting! The pictures tell the tale.
Thatchy and overgrown Delavay Sweet Olive Shrub
Trimmed of dead branches and some overgrowth
Lighter and brighter canopy...
And look how lovely it is in the rain!
It is lovely in the rain! We just spent the weekend in Western MD surrounded by deciduous trees molting their leaves. It was glorious.