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1. Removing spent flowers also removes berries that might form for birds later in the season. Determine the best time for pruning (and if they even need it) so the birds aren't denied the berries.
2. Make sure that it is the correct time of the season to prune (see Related Features below).
3. Use sharpened tools that are large enough to do the job.
4. Use shears only for formal hedges; most flowering shrubs look best when left in a natural shape.
5. Use loppers and/or pruners for a natural look.
6. Remove dead and diseased branches at the place of their origination. Do not leave a stub.
7. Cut crossing branches that rub against each other.
8. Cut branches growing toward the center of the plant.
First remove dead and diseased branches.
Cut crossing branches that rub against each other.
Make the final pruning cut into healthy wood.
Make cuts at an angle so that water runs off of them.
Refrain from shearing a plant into a box shape; over time, the top will dominate with few lower branches and foliage due to the difference in light.
Never remove more than one third of the total plant; if something is overgrown, prune it over time for best results.
Abelia- selective thinning of damaged and crowded stems in spring. In severe winter areas, may be cut back severely and mulched in early winter.
Althaea (Rose of Sharon), Shrub Althaea- where winters are warm, prune in winter. Otherwise, wait until early spring. Selective pruning during the first two years; thereafter cut 3 year old wood back to the ground.
Azalea - prune after flowering. Remove faded blossoms before they seed for a better flower display the following year.
Barberry - late spring, thin and shape for hedge or topiary.
Beautyberry - prune before spring growth begins.
Bridal-wreath spirea (Spiraea prunifolia) - blooms on previous years growth; prune in spring after flowers fade. When overgrown, remove oldest stems at the base.
Buddleia - if it didn't get killed to the ground, leave only 4-5 inch stems with 2 or more buds on Buddleia alternifolia, which blooms on previous years growth. Buddleia davidii (summer lilac, butterfly bush) can be cut back to the ground. Pinch tips of new growth for more vigorous plants. In temperate areas, cut back to 3 feet in late fall.
Camellia - prune before spring growth begins.
Chinese Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) - remove one third of old wood in early spring if not killed to the ground.
Cotoneaster - prune in early spring; thin out by removing older stems if needed. Prune tips to control growth.
Deutzia - prune after flowering; cut 3 year old wood to the ground and remove weak, spindly growth.
Firethorn (Pyracantha) - remove fruited branches in early spring; prune to control shape and size.
Flowering Quince - prune after flowering.
Forsythia - after blooming in spring, remove 4 year old wood (older branches) at the base of the plant. Leave the younger arching branches.
French Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) - blooms on old wood; prune after flowering by removing old canes. Cut stems that flowered back to next laterals.
Honeysuckle, woodbine (Lonicera) - prune after spring flowering. Remove 2 year old stems at ground level.
Lilac (Syringa) - blooms on previous year’s growth; prune oldest branches at ground level after flowers fade. Remove seed pods, dead & diseased wood, and suckers growing from grafts at the base.
Mock Orange (Philadelphus) - prune after bloom in spring by removing 3 year old wood to the ground. Cut back flowering branches to a lateral.
Modern Roses - prune before spring growth begins.
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia) - prune after bloom in spring
Nandina - prune before spring growth begins
Old Garden Roses - prune after flowering
Rhododendrons - prune immediately after bloom
Sweetshrub, strawberry bush (Calycanthus floridus) - prune before spring growth begins
Tamarisk (Tamarisk ramosissima) - prune severely in spring; also clip flowers after they fade
Tea Olive (Osmanthus fragrans) - prune before spring growth begins
Weigela- After flowers fade; prune flowering branches to the next lateral. Remove dead wood to the ground.
Winter Daphne - prune after flowering
Wisteria - prune after flowering, by pinching; many prune in winter for more foliage. Root pruning is also an effective means of control.
1. Make final cuts into healthy wood.
2. Make cuts at an angle so water runs off of them.
3. If shearing a formal hedge into a box or ball shape, leave the plant slightly wider at the bottom, or the bottom growth will die back from lack of light.
Simply put, prune the following after flowering: Azalea
Beautybush Bigleaf Hydrangea
Bradford Pear
Bridalwreath Spirea
Clematis
Climbing Roses
Crabapple
Deutzia
Dogwood
Doublefile Vibernum
Flowering Almond
Flowering Cherry
Flowering Quince
Forsythia
Japanese Kerria
Japanese Pieris
Lilac
Mockorange
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Pearlbush
Pyracantha
Redbud
Saucer Magnolia
Star Magnolia
Shrub Honeysuckle
Thunberg Spirea
Vanhoutte Spirea
Weigelia
Winter Daphne
Wisteria
Witchhazel
Prune the following before spring growth begins:
Beautyberry
Camellia
Goldenrain Tree
Chaste Tree (Vitex)
Cranberrybush Viburnum
Crapemyrtle
Floribunda Roses
Fragrant Tea Olive
Gloss Abelia
Grandiflora Roses
Japanese Barberry
Japanese Spirea
Mimosa
Nandina
Rose-of-Sharon (Althea)
Sourwood
Anthony Waterer Spirea
Sweetshrub
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Author Bio Box: Arlene Wright Correll
 Resources: Excerpted from “Food For Thought Series” by Arlene Wright-Correll
For more gardening or cooking information click http://www.learn-america.com/ and click on Arlene’s Books you can download or buy my gardening & cook books. All my royalties from the sale of my books go to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and we thank you for your attention to this site.
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