PRUNING FLOWERING TREES 35 



SANTOLINA. This is a dwarf-growing genus, the 

 old flower-heads of which should be cut away as 

 soon as they are past, and any long or straggling 

 growths cut back at the same time. 



SAMBUCUS. The elders require very little pruning 

 as a rule, but the various cut-leaved, golden, or 

 variegated forms are improved by being cut back 

 annually. This will prevent them flowering, but 

 as good foliage is required the loss of the bloom 

 is a matter of little consequence. 



SKIMMIA. Requires no pruning. 



SMILAX. The hardy species of this genus do not 

 require any pruning if they have room to ramble. 

 If space is restricted, thin out and shorten in autumn. 



SOPHORA. These should be kept thinned when 

 they have attained flowering size ; in a young state 

 they should be kept to a single stem and induced 

 to form well-shaped trees. 



SPARTIUM. This should be cut back in a small 

 state, but when older it requires no pruning 

 whatever. 



SPIRAEA. Though all the Spiraeas will flower on 

 the old wood, the following are better for being cut 

 back in winter to form young flowering shoots, 

 viz., S. betulifolia, S. Douglasi, S. Foxti, S. japom'ca, 

 S. Margarita, S. salicifolia y S. semperflorens, S. tomentosa, 

 and many of their varieties and hybrids. The 

 remaining Spiraeas should be kept thinned out, and 

 if any are making strong young breaks from the 

 lower part of the plant they can be cut back to 

 them after flowering. 



