PRUNING FLOWERING TREES 25 



such as C. alba, C. Amomum, C. Baileyi, C. pubescens, 

 and C. stolonifera require an annual thinning out, and 

 those with brightly-coloured stems should be cut 

 down every spring for their effect during the follow- 

 ing winter. The remaining Cornus require Httle or 

 no pruning. 



COTONEASTER. — The large-growing species should 

 be pruned in late summer, but only sufficiently to 

 keep them within bounds ; C. Simonsii requires cut- 

 ting down annually while young to make it bushy, 

 and the dwarf-growing kinds are best left alone. 



Crat^GUS. — Keep the heads well thinned out to 

 allow light and air to the centre of the tree. This 

 should be done in late summer. 



Cytisus. — These require very little pruning, with 

 the exception of C. nigricans and C. capitatus, which 

 flower on the young wood, and should be cut back 

 annually. The other species and varieties make 

 better plants if they are cut down each year while in 

 a small state, but they should be left alone when 

 they have attained flowering size. 



Dabcecia (the Irish Heath). — Cut away all old 

 flower stems in early winter. 



Daphne. — Requires no pruning. 



Desmodium. — These flower on the young wood, 

 and should be cut nearly to the ground-line every 

 spring. 



Deutzia. — ^The old wood should be kept cut out of 

 these, but no shortening of young shoots should be 

 attempted. 



EljEAGNUS. — These require an annual overhaul- 



