Spring-flowering shrubs, such as deutzia, physocarpus, philadelphus, forsythia and weigela produce their blooms on the woody stems made in the previous year. Cut out these stems as soon as the flowers have faded (or by July at the latest) and leave the current season's new shoots to grow from the base. These are the stems that will carry the flowers next spring.

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You Will Need

  • Established shrub
  • Secateurs
  • Long-handled loppers

Step 1

Pruning just above a stem
Pruning just above a stem

Use secateurs to cut out all the woody, flowered stems. Prune back to just above vigorous green stems growing from low down on the plant.

Step 2

Using long-handled loppers
Using long-handled loppers
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For the thickest woody stems, or where shrubs have become very overgrown, use long-handled loppers or a garden saw to cut through the tough stems.

Cutting back shrubs immediately after flowering spreads out the pruning so you don't have to do it all at once.
Gardening gloves. Photo: Getty Images.
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