OrchidDeb

This topic would make a great article, with before and after photos, discussion of crown reduction, what tools to use for what and when. Formative pruning versus productive pruning would also be helpful. I know there is an entire DVD on this topic, but a concise, easy to understand and accessible article or two is always useful. And on a regular basis, maybe once a year. I find that hedge shears are best used for deadheading masses of Dianthus. After having new shrubs put in ie. Viburnum, Holly, Junipers etc., I found that I should have gently pruned them regularly as they grew to the desired size. Now I find myself having to do more drastic crown reduction or do more cutting to decrease size. I too, raise my hackles when I see endless yards with shrubs pruned into a repetion of green marshmallows. Pruning is an art form and one needs to develop a hand and an eye for it. The trick is to be able to prune and when finished no one can tell that you were there with your tools of destruction.