Pruning a Duranta

[stu42j]

We have a Duranta (Sweet Memories) that was kept in a container for two years and brought inside during the winter. In October, we planted it in the ground. After the winter, I am not seeing any signs of life. Most other perennials in our yard have started budding out but I am not seeing any thing from the duranta.

I have read that it is common for durantas to die back to the roots here in North Texas (DFW) but I'm not sure what to do with it. Should I prune it back and how much? Should I wait for new growth to appear before removing the dead stuff?

[sandih]

It is treated as an annual in Zone 8. It may have gotten too cold for it already.



Copied from this link:
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/cemap/duranta/durantastory.html



For instance, Duranta is hardy as a subtropical shrub or tree and develops into an irregular spreading large shrub or small tree 15 to 20 fe et tall in USDA zones 10 and 11. It serves as a 6 to 8 foot tall summer annual or shrubby perennial depending upon the severity of winter temperatures in zone 9, [b]or as a summer annual in zones 8 and colder[/b]. This is the case with other SuperStarTM plants such as Firebush (1990); 'Goldstar' Esperanza (1999); Plumbago (2005); and "Texas Lilac" Vitex (2005).

[Dirt Doctor]

I assumed mine would be die this winter, even though it has been mild. All I did was cut it back and add a little shredded mulch. We'll seee in the spring.