Pruning Shrubs

When pruning any evergreen shrub (except old, overgrown shrubs, see below), aim to remove about one-third of older wood in total.

Prune out any diseased, damaged or dead shoots using long-handled loppers or a saw if necessary And finally, thin out crowded shoots and any badly positioned ones that spoil the shrub’s appearance After pruning, plants benefit from mulching and feeding. Use either a general-purpose fertiliser or specialist rose or other high-potassium fertiliser For convenience, we have divided evergreen shrubs into three groups on the basis of timing and type of pruning required:

Winter, spring and early summer-flowering evergreens such as Rhododendron and Camellia are best left unpruned except for removal of unsightly shoots and deadheading, unless some shaping is required. Do this by lightly cutting back shoots after flowering. Deadheading and removal of dead, damaged and diseased growth can be done at the same time.

Late flowering evergreen shrubs bloom in summer and late autumn on the previous or current year's growth. They need little pruning. Prune lightly removing unsightly shoots as required. Those shrubs recommended for hedges, topiary or foliage often tolerate heavier pruning.

Evergreen shrubs flower on the previous year's growth in spring or early summer, or on the current year's growth in late summer and autumn. Remove shoots that have flowered to within 1.5-2.5cm (¾-1in) of the previous year's growth.

If you inherit a garden full of neglected shrubs or have a plant that is overgrown and choked with branches, you can try to rejuvenate it by pruning. Some shrubs can be severely pruned just as growth begins in mid-spring. Spotted laurel (Aucuba), box (Buxus), camellias, Choisya, Euonymus, hollies, Pieris, laurels (Prunus laurocerasus and P. lusitanica), Viburnum tinus and yew all tolerate severe pruning to near ground level. Other evergreens are often best renovated over several years, removing one-third to half of shoots to ground level, and reducing all other shoots by one-third in the first year. Over the next couple of years, each year remove half of the older shoots to ground level. Following renovation apply a general-purpose fertiliser and mulch and avoid drought stress in the following season.