Pruning Deciduous Shrubs Late Summer

Plants which are not regularly pruned in this group tend to get top heavy and densely twiggy with flower quality and the vigour of the plant deteriorating .  removing the old flower heads also prevents the plants spending energy on creating un-necessary seeds.

How are they to be pruned?

After planting a shrub in this group, cut out any damaged, dead or diseased growth then prune back the main shoots to a healthy pair of shoots. This will promote growth of the main plant framework. If the plant flowers in the first year, prune again immediately after flowering to a strong pair of buds and take out all spindly growth. After the plant is pruned feed it and add a mulch.

Do exactly the same after subsequent year's year's flowering. Idealy it is advantageous to prune back to strong buds, it is more important to prune to a well balanced shape. Again, feed and mulch after pruning.

A more mature plant may need heavier pruning with the emphasis on creating new growth. This maybe achieved by cutting up to one fifth of the oldest stems annually to within 5-8cm of the ground. Think about it before you prune it as some shrubs may end up awkward shapes as a result of pruning this way!

Some shrubs in this group require little pruning, especially when grown as free standing as opposed to wall shrubs. Some shrubs require particular care however, as they start their new growth when they come into flower e.g. Syringa. Take care when removing old flower heads as if the buds below are damaged, it will reduce the flowering on the shrub the year after.  


Which plants fall into this group?

Buddleja alternifolia
Calycanthus
Chaenomeles
Cotoneaster (Deciduous spp.)
Deutzia
Dipelta
Exchorda
Holodiscus discolor
Jasminum humile
Kolkwitzia
Magnolia x soulangeana
Magnolia stellata
Neillia
Philadephus
Photinia villosa
Rhododendron (Deciduous spp.)
Ribes sanguineum
Rubus deliciosus
Rubus 'Tridel'
Spirea x arguta
Spirea prunifolia
Spirea thunbergii
Stephanandra
Syringea
Weigela