Correct Pruning Preserves Shapeliness of Shrubs 
T HE object of seasonal pruning is to 
maintain the natural form and to 
preserve the flower and fruit bear¬ 
ing wood. Shrubs that bloom in spring 
or early summer should be pruned 
within two weeks after flowering. 
Those that bloom in late summer or 
fall, like Althea, Butterfly Bush, Hy¬ 
drangeas and Snowberry, should be 
pruned in late winter or early spring 
before growth starts. 
The Hydrangeas are pruned lightly 
for numerous small blossoms and are 
cut back severely if larger but fewer 
flowers are desired. 
Butterfly Bush and Desmodium us¬ 
ually die back to the ground, so the 
tops should be cut off entirely in late 
winter. The tops spring up quickly and 
make nice bushy specimens. 
Shrubs valued for colored bark like 
Siberian Dogwood (Cornus alba Si- 
berica), Globe Flower (Kerria Japon- 
ica), etc., should have some of the older 
canes removed each spring to encour¬ 
age new growth which has the best 
color. 
Lilacs and flowering Dogwood 
(Cornus Florida) should not be pruned 
except to remove dead or diseased 
branches. 
Most pruning may be confined to re¬ 
moving dead wood, cutting out short, 
weak growth and heading back 
branches that are too long and tend to 
destroy the natural form of the shrub. 
With old shrubs it may be necessary 
to cut out the old wood down to the 
base of the plant, encouraging the new 
growth from the roots. 
Fig. A shows a large, overgrown 
shrub which is “leggy,” i. e., presents 
These illustrations are from "The 
Complete Garden” and are used by 
permission of the author, Mr. 
Albert D. Taylor. 
a bare effect at the base. Flowers are 
borne in the top branches on the old 
wood. 
Fig. B. The same shrub properly 
pruned to permit the new shoots to de¬ 
velop from the base of the shrub and 
to form a new top. 
Fig. C. The same shrub two or three 
years after proper pruning. A more 
handsome shrub in form and with bet¬ 
ter bloom. 
Fig. D shows incorrect pruning of 
shrub in Fig. A. 
Fig. E shows the results of incorrect 
pruning illustrated in Fig. D. 
B — 
- C - 
After Csire of Shrubs 
Keep surface soil loose and moist 
and at even temperature by a 3 to 4- 
inch mulch of manure, or by keeping 
a dust mulch by repeated cultivations. 
During a drought, water thoroughly 
even though mulch is applied. 
Winter Protection 
It is alternate freezing and thawing 
that does the damage. Prevent this by 
a heavy mulch of straw, leaves or ma¬ 
nure put on after ground freezes. 
Neosho Shrubs lend their beauty to this garden of F. E. Rice, Bartlesville, Okla. This garden 
was one of the winners in National Garden Contest. 
9 
