Shrubs the shoot from the base

Shrubs that flower on the previous years growth normally send new shoots up for the base and lower down on the plant. Older wood (over a year old) should be almost entirely removed to make way from newer growth.

When to prune -

• Late winter/early spring

What to prune -

• branches are diseased, damaged or dead (the three Ds).

• branches are congested or crossing each other.

• branches are growing in unwanted directions (e.g. in toward the centre of the plant)

• branches that are weak or spindly in order to promote stronger growth in others

• Older woody branches (over one year old)