Forsythia Immediately after flowering, cut out some of the old stems and shorten the youngest ones.
Fatsia Prune in spring, removing a few of the oldest, congested or damaged stems at their base.
Euonymous Prune in spring/early summer, cutting back long shoots to get bushy growth from the base. FLOWER
PRUNE
Cornus (shrubby) Cut all last year’s stems hard down to their base every winter to promote new growth.
Deutzia Prune after flowering, cutting back about onethird of the oldest stems to the base every year.
PRUNE
PRUNE
Jan
Clematis (summer flowering) Prune back all old growths to just above buds developing at their base.
Clematis (spring flowering) Shorten long stems after flowering and thin out any congested growth.
Choisya ternata Prune after flowering, reducing the stems by about two-thirds. It can be cut back hard.
Chaenomeles Prune after flowering, shortening new stems to two buds from the base.
Cercis canadensis Shorten last year’s growth and thin out congested branches to make an open framework.
Ceanothus Prune after flowering, shortening shoots by a third to half. Never cut into old, unproductive wood.
Caryopteris Cut all stems hard back in late winter. New shoots will develop from around the base of old shoots.
Buddleja davidii Every year in late winter, cut hard back to a woody base. Deadhead in summer.
Buddleja alternifolia After flowering, cut back all flowered stems to non-flowering sideshoots.
Brachyglottis ‘Sunshine’ Trim to improve shape once weather warms up in spring and deadhead in summer.
Shrubs
PRUNE
Feb
FLOWER
PRUNE
PRUNE
FLOWER
FLOWER
PRUNE
SOW
Mar
FLOWER
FLOWER
SOW
PRUNE
Apr
PRUNE
FLOWER
PRUNE
FLOWER
FLOR
May
FLOWER
PRUNE
PRUNE
FLOWER
FLOWER
Jun
PRUNE
PRUNE
FLOWER
FLOR
Jul
FLOWER
PRUNE
Aug
Sep
Pruning is all about timing – if you cut back ornamental shrubs at the right time, it will keep them healthy and productive. If you cut at the wrong time, there is a risk of cutting out the flowering shoots, which will mean losing a season’s blooms. Have a look at the chart to find out the best time to prune 30 top shrubs.
FLOWER
STEMS
SOW
Oct
Nov
Optimum period for main pruning
Dec
Usual flowering display period in a normal year
Your shrub pruning year