Beginner gardening: how to prune your shrubs without making mistakes

Wondering when and how to prune your bushes without risking damage? Many beginner gardeners hesitate before making the first cut with pruning shears, fearing they might weaken their plants or compromise the next flowering. The key is knowing the right time and the right techniques. Let’s explore the basics of bush maintenance pruning together: why prune, when to intervene depending on the season, which tools to use, how to cut the branches of a bush, and above all, the 5 simple steps for successful pruning.

Why Prune Bushes?

Pruning bushes isn’t just about giving them a nice shape. Proper pruning helps to:

Stimulate the growth of new shoots and flowering.
Prevent them from becoming too invasive.
Remove dead or diseased branches to limit diseases and parasites.
Improve air circulation and light access, promoting generous flowering.
Rejuvenate ageing bushes by encouraging regrowth.

when and how to prune bushes — *Pruning hydrangeas aims to produce new floriferous shoots all summer*

Understanding Different Types of Bushes for Better Pruning

Deciduous or Evergreen: What’s the Difference?

Deciduous bushes lose their leaves in autumn and remain naked during winter, like lilac, hydrangea, or forsythia. They should be pruned in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins.

Evergreen bushes retain their foliage all year, like laurel, boxwood, or camellia. They require lighter pruning in spring or summer to maintain their shape without slowing their growth too much.

beginner pruning evergreens — *Evergreen hedges are pruned less often as they generally grow more slowly*

When Should You Prune Bushes?

The key is knowing the right timing and techniques. Pruning too early or too late can prevent the bush from flowering, while a poorly placed cut risks unbalancing the plant. Each bush has its own needs: some should be pruned after flowering, others before spring growth resumes:

Type of Bushes	Examples	Pruning Period
Spring-flowering bushes	Lilac, Forsythia, Magnolia	Just after flowering
Summer and autumn-flowering bushes	Hibiscus, Buddleia	Late winter or early spring
Evergreen bushes	Oleander, Cherry laurel, Photinia, Elaeagnus, Camellia	Light pruning in late winter or after flowering
Deciduous bushes	Various deciduous bushes	Late winter or early spring
Winter-flowering bushes	Mahonia, Winter jasmine	After flowering
Ageing or sparse bushes	Butterfly bush, Dogwoods, Forsythia, Weigelias, Hydrangeas, Cotoneasters, Rugosa roses	Severe pruning in late winter (possible cutting back to 30 cm)
Evergreen hedges	Laurel, Photinia, Elaeagnus	Two prunings: spring (March-April) and late summer (August-September)
Conifer hedges	Thuja, Cypress	Early spring and late August – September
Deciduous hedges	Hornbeam, Beech	Winter (avoid frost, November to February) and summer (June-July)

Good to know: Some ageing or sparse bushes (butterfly bush, dogwoods, forsythia, weigelias, hydrangeas, cotoneasters, rugosa roses) may require more severe pruning to rejuvenate. This is done in late winter to prepare for vigorous regrowth in spring. They can be cut back almost to the ground, this is called cutting back. This involves cutting some branches very short (to about 30 cm from the ground) to stimulate the appearance of new shoots.

pruning to do in winter spring beginner — *Many deciduous bushes are pruned in late winter before new growth begins*

When to Prune Hedges?

This question often comes up. When should you prune hedge bushes? Pruning a hedge helps maintain a structured garden and ensures dense, harmonious growth. The answer depends on their type.

Evergreen hedge: two prunings per year

Evergreen hedges (laurel, thuja, cypress) retain their foliage all year and require regular pruning to maintain their density.

Spring (March-April): remove unruly shoots and stimulate growth.
Late summer (August-September): maintain the hedge’s shape before winter.

Moderate pruning is recommended to avoid weakening the bushes or making them more vulnerable to diseases.

Conifer hedge:

Early spring and late August – September.

Deciduous hedges: structuring and controlling growth

Deciduous hedges (hornbeam, beech) lose their leaves in autumn and require pruning adapted to their growth cycle.

Winter (avoid frost, November to February): more pronounced pruning to structure the hedge before spring.
Summer (June-July): light pruning to limit expansion and balance the silhouette.

Regular pruning, rather than severe cutting, helps maintain a dense and healthy hedge. Good to know: between mid-March and late July, avoid pruning to avoid disturbing bird nesting. Read more on the topic Don’t Prune Hedges Between 15 March and Late July!

⇒ Find all our advice on hedge pruning, when and how?