"Rich" wrote in message
...
Is this a good time to prune? I have a bush - Brides Bouquet? This has
got a little large how far can I cut back? Is it ok to go for anything
mow (Weather good for being outside of course)
Thanks
Ric


Hi Ric,

Your question is somewhat vague ..! I'm going to assume that the shrub
'Brides Bouquet' is a form of Spiraea, but it could be Exochorda .. or
anything!

There is a general rule of thumb that flowering shrubs should be pruned
after their flowering period has finished. This holds for both Spiraea and
Exochorda, as it happens. It is, however, a long time since the
spring-flowering white forms of Spiraea - and Exochorda - bloomed, which
makes it a bit more difficult.

If it's outgrowing its allotted space, then you must prune it anyway.
Choose a dry and reasonably sunny day. For this year, cut back simply where
you need to to regain the space you've lost. Always cut back to a node (a
slightly swollen joint where a leaf joins the stem), as this will aid
healing. In readiness for next year, find out what the shrub really is
(maybe post a link to a photo here) and you should receive more specific
advice.

In your heading, you also mention pruning apples. If it's a tree, winter is
a good time. For specially trained apples (cordons, espalliers, etc),
summer is recommended. Another general rule, (but with apples this time)
says that summer pruning slows down the growth of replacement shoots,
whereas winter pruning tends to encourage the growth of replacement shoots.

I can highly recommend the RHS's Pruning and Training guide, (published by
Dorling Kindersley) if you want some good reading matter. Oh yes, do come
back with the shrubs full name if you have it. It is also helpful if we
know roughly where you live, so we can take climate and other local
conditions into consideration before answering.

Spider