Because they eventually disappear, they leave big gaps in the garden.

Oct 25, Spirea shrubs respond well to pruning. In the spring, after the first blooms are spent, cut the dead flowers back by trimming spirea’s stem tips back to the topmost leaf on each stem.

Throughout the summer, the plants shape can be maintained by cutting back overgrown spirea shoots or stems as well as any dead or diseased branches.

After flowering has finished, the first step is to cut the flowers off to the next good set of flower stalk leaves. In about weeks, the leaves on flower stalks will start to look sickly. At this point, cut the entire flower stalk down to the base. Growing at the bottom of these flower stalks will Estimated Reading Time: 9 mins.

Apr 20, DO Prune Flowering Shrubs at the Right Time of Year Spring-flowering shrubs, such as lilac and forsythia, develop buds that will display the following year during the Estimated Reading Time: 5 mins.

Apr 26, To encourage the plants to become stockier, cut the plant back by one-third once it has reached about 6 to 8 inches in height. This will encourage it to send out more stems. Let the plant grow about a month, then cut it back by one-third again.

It ​should grow into a full, stocky plant with multiple stems and blooms. Cutting back in autumn and winter Using a knife, shears or secateurs, cut stems close to the ‘crown’ or dormant base of the plant If there is any young growth, cut to just above it Take the opportunity to remove weeds, digging out those with thick or fleshy roots Cut back perennials that produce.

Mar 02, Give it a good trim after it flowers in the spring by cutting back the tips of the stems to the top leaf bud. This removes the dead blossoms and also may trigger a second blooming and new leaf growth.

You can also shape the shrub at this time. Tree surgeon low fell drastically cutting back spirea should occur in the fall or in late winter to early spring.