[header] How to prune shrubs [title] Thin off any old or dead stems. [step] Shrubs that are old or overgrown may need to be pruned over several years. This is called renewal or renovation pruning.
[header] How to prune shrubs [title] Thin off any old or dead stems. [step] Shrubs that are old or overgrown may need to be pruned over several years. This is called renewal or renovation pruning.
This is why many gardeners remove very young shrubs to reshape them as they mature. Once you've pruned off a few hundred old stems, you can simply replace them with new ones. Start by using hand shears and lopping shears to remove any old stems on the shrub. Cut them off at a 45 degree angle. In order to cut back old or diseased shrubs, you will need to trim off any oldest ones that are still growing tall and extending past the ground. [substeps] Before pruning, use a garden knife to cut away any shoots near the ground. If you have a plant that has lost great growth, pruning it away may make the process easier on it. [title] Trim your shrubs down to the ground.