Shrubs Winter at www.japanese-home-gardens.com

These need little pruning other than shaping when young and the removal of branches that cross the plant's center creating congestion and reducing the maturing and ripening influence of the sun. Always cut out pest-and disease-damaged shoots; if left, they encourage the decay to infect and damage other parts. Prune winter-flowering deciduous shrubs winter as soon as their display is over This gives shrubs winter the maximum amount of time in which to produce new shoots and for them to ripen before the onset of cold weather in the following fall or early winter It is easier to control the size of winter-flowering shrubs winter than any other type.

Evergreen shrubs winter are clothed in leaves throughout the year, with old leaves continually falling off and new ones being formed. Once established, these shrubs winter need no more pruning than cutting out weak, diseased and straggly shoots in spring. Never prune evergreen shrubs winter in winter, as any young shoots that subsequently develop could be blackened and damaged.

Many shrubs winter are grown for their attractive stems which provide color in winter months. These shrubs winter include the common dogwood (Cornus alba) and golden-twig dogwood (C. stolonifera "Flaviramea"). In spring, cut down all stems to within 3in of the ground. This encourages the development of fresh stems that will create a bright feature during the winter months.