[Arid_gardener] Re: Pruning Rosemary and Purple Sage

[Olin Miller]

Both plants take pruning very well.  Assuming that your "Purple Sage" is a
Leucophyllum (Texas Ranger), it is often clipped to shape it.  If you take
off half, it will be awhile before you see new flowers.  I would probably do
the 50% over several growing seasons.  You can also prune it down close to
the ground and it will grow back but it's rather slow.  Prune in January.

Rosemary tends to become bare at the center and should only be to be pruned
lightly out at the leafy wood.  Limbs pruned back to the bare wood will not
grow.  Prune in April.

See Also http://home.att.net/~millero/Prune_month.htm

Olin Miller, Master Gardener Volunteer
U of A Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County AZ
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----- Original Message ----- From: <wirt at wbhsi.net>
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 8:32 PM
> MARTIN W. WIRT,  85248-7824
> I have several very healthy purple sage and rosemary bushes in my yard
> which I would like to reduce in size by about 50%.  Can these shrubs stand
> such a severe pruning?  Is there a best time of the year to do it?