How to restore euonymous hedge with stripped bark and only crown leafing

Question

Rabbits stripped all the lower branches of my euonymous hedge this winter and now leaves only grow at the crown instead of the whole bush. Should I wash the bare areas with soap and water, fertilize and trim the crown back to let the sun get the under branches going again? Can the hedge be restored?

Answer 1

Most euonymous will tolerate very heavy pruning. This can help to regenerate old shrubs. Some species are even considered highly invasive in certain areas.

I would recommend wiping the cut area with peroxide, instead of soap. This will leave no residue behind, as it will dissolve into, both, oxygen and water.