mega snip

The real problem plants are a Berberris hedge which is too thick and a
Fuschia which just gets too big.

Hi Jim

Yes I know how you feel about the berberis - not my favourite plant but the
birds seem to like mine so I keep it. I cut about a third of the stems
right to the trunk (or base) every year - not an easy job but with thorn
proof coat and gloves on plus a long handled pair of loppers..... If you
snip over the whole bush it just grows lots of extras at each cut.

I would do the same with the fushia - my mum does and hers is a treat every
summer just laden with flowers. At least it doesn't have thorns!

Both shrubs are remarkably tolerant of any wicked treatment they get. If
you want to keep them though, don't prune the fushia if a frost is on the
way. I did on a communal planting scheme I was 'taking care of' quite some
years ago and had to make a quick trip to the garden centre in early spring
before anyone noticed the lack of movement on the existing bush!

--A