Guidelines
For Pruning Shrubs
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First, see our shrub by shrub guides below and follow
the instructions for that particular shrub if you can identify it.
Sometimes however you may not know the name of your shrub or we haven't
listed it below.
For this situation, we have listed some general
guidelines below which should give you a good chance of success. |
The Basic Principles of Pruning Shrubs
You first need to know if the shrub is evergreen or deciduous (drops
all its leaves in winter). Without this basic piece of information it's
best to leave the shrub over winter to find out which type it is.
Evergreen Shrubs
The majority of evergreen shrubs need very little pruning, they will
maintain their own shape without any need of help from pruning. If the
plant is loosing it's shape or needs pruning to reduce its size, then
minor tidying is all that is needed. Do not cut back into brown or dead
foliage on evergreen shrubs unless you know exactly what you are doing.
The plant will not grow again from dead wood.
Deciduous Shrubs
Deciduous shrubs (ones which loose their leaves in the winter) are much
more likely to need pruning. The old stems remain amongst new ones and
the centre of these plant becomes crowded and prone to disease.
In spring, prune away all dead wood and thin out the
centre of the plant if it is still crowded. If you want to reduce the
size of the shrub, cut all branches back by a third. Spring is also the
time reshape shrubs if the are misshapen.
Pruning Named Shrubs
If you know the name of your shrub then pruning is much easier. Scan
through our list below and hover your mouse over the name of your shrub
for instructions.
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Choisya ternata or
Mexican Orange Blossom |
Clematis |
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| Potentilla |
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| Rose |
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GO
TO PREVIOUS PAGE ON PRUNING
