Trimming and pruning the bushes
It is well known that trimming and pruning bushes influences their growth, longevity, and the quality of flowering. It is important to take into account the intensity of growth, the condition of shoots, and the time when the buds blossom.
Some bushes do not like pruning, because of their low capacity for regeneration. These shrubs are magnolia, witch-hazel, dogwood, viburnum, hibiscus, cherry laurel, and saskatoon.
Bushes that are blooming in early spring, should be pruned and trimmed just after the blooming, removing withered shoots for better growth of the new ones. If you prune such shrub in early spring, you can simply cut off all the future flowers.
These shrubs are golden bell, currants, jasmine, deutzia, early-flowering spirea, lilacs. Prune withered branches of such bushes for one-third, and for the rejuvenation of the bush prune all the old shoots at ground level.
Pay attention to the fact that you shouldn’t prune branches on the same heights from year to year. In due course, thick outgrowths are forming on the branches, making problems for growth of new shoots.
Late flowering of shrubs in summer or autumn indicates that the flower buds and shoots were formed in the current year. That means that the harder is the trimming, the more shoots will appear.
Butterfly-bush, late blooming spirea, and roses don’t need to be trimmed and pruned annually; it is enough to prune them every 3-4 years.
Young shrubs should be pruned lightly to make them grow fuller and thicker.
Older bushes that have become a tangle of unproductive stems may require a more extensive program of thinning cuts that takes at least three years.
Always remember that proper pruning is just the component of the multi-technology of shrub care. Take care of the plants - only then they will be healthy, beautiful, will have flawless appearance and abundant flowering.