Pruning Shrubs

1 creates vertical tunnels to improve light penetration and air movement throughout the shrub, 2 rids the plant of its weakest, unproductive stems and 3 promotes the new growth (stems) at the stem base from latent buds. Eventually, the new stems will grow taller, add girth and fill the spot left vacant by the removal of the original stem. The rule of thumb is to eliminate approximately 1/3 of the oldest stems each year. Using this approach, the entire plant will become ‘younger’ by replenishing most of the oldest stems with new ones in three years. Let’s use the illustrations below to demonstrate the benefits of renewal pruning on a sheared shrub with dense growth on top and a “leggy” plant, in general.