Pruning Deciduous Shrubs: Minimal Pruning

Plants which do not produce regular shoots of growth tend to need little pruning. The main reason to prune is to remove dead, damaged or diseased wood.


How are they to be pruned?

Cut out crossing or weak growth after flowering. Formative pruning is advised for these plants with a feed and mulch in spring. Plantd like Acers which bleed heavily when pruned are best left to mid to late summer when the sap is at it's least active.


Which plants fall into this group?

Amelanchier
Aronia
Buddleja globosa
Caragana
Chimonanthus
Clethra (Deciduous spp.)
Cornus alternifolia 'Argentea'
Corylopsis
Daphne
Decaisnea
Disanthus
Enkianthus
Eucryphia  (Deciduous spp.)
Fothergilla
Hamamelis
Hoheria  (Deciduous spp.)
Poncirus
Ptelea
Pterostyrax
Rhamnus (Deciduous spp.)
Viburnum (Deciduous spp.)