{"id":1255,"date":"2026-05-08T17:09:39","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T14:09:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/?p=1255"},"modified":"2026-05-08T17:09:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T14:09:39","slug":"early-flowering-shrubs-to-prune-now-and-how-to-do-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/?p=1255","title":{"rendered":"Early flowering shrubs to prune now, and how to do it"},"content":{"rendered":"

As soon as the flowers have faded on certain winter and spring-flowering deciduous shrubs, it\u2019s time to break out the pruning tools. Don\u2019t delay, because these shrubs bloom on growth that will be produced during the coming growing season, so leaving this job for longer will compromise the amount and quality of next year\u2019s flowers.<\/p>\n

Flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum<\/em>)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Flowering<\/p>\n

Flowering currant flowers best on wood that’s no more than five years old. Cut the bush back by about a quarter, pruning to a bud or near to the ground.<\/p>\n

Flowering quince (Chaenomeles<\/em>)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Flowering<\/p>\n

On shrubs that are trained to grow up walls and fences, cut back all outward-facing shoots to within two to three buds of the previous year\u2019s growth, then tie in new shoots to the support.<\/p>\n

Forsythia<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Forsythia<\/p>\n

Forsythia varieties that grow large, such as \u2018Lynwood\u2019, tend to need regular annual pruning. Compact varieties may only need a light prune. Cut flowered shoots back by at least half, and thin growth that has become dense and congested.<\/p>\n

Winter heathers (Erica<\/em> spp.)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Erica<\/p>\n

Winter heathers tend to become leggy with age. Keep growth bushy and fresh by lightly trimming over the plant, using shears.<\/p>\n

Winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima<\/em>)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Winter<\/p>\n

Winter honeysuckle is a large deciduous shrub. Remove the oldest stems near to the base of the shrub, to encourage regular production of new and productive growth. If large branches have arched over, prune them back to where younger, vigorous shoots have developed, usually where the stems bend.<\/p>\n

Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum<\/em>)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Jasminum<\/p>\n

Winter jasmine produces lots of thin-stemmed new growth which, if not trimmed, smothers older growth and results in a large, untidy, dead-centred shrub. Prune side shoots back close to the main branches, to where new growth is starting to emerge.<\/p>\n

Witch hazel (Hamamelis<\/em>)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Hamamelis<\/p>\n

Witch hazel can become straggly. To prevent this, shorten any leggy shoots by cutting back to just above a strong pair of buds. Take care to retain a natural-looking overall shape by varying the length of the pruning cuts.<\/p>\n

Tips for success<\/strong><\/p>\n