To prune certain shrubs, you practically need a horticulture degree. For instance, you can’t just make random cuts to a Beautyberry (Callicarpa bodinieri ‘Profusion’) because it will sprout in opposite directions and grow like a weird alien. The same goes for a Doublefile Viburnum (Viburnum plicatum). And an Abelia (Abelia grandiflorum). But some shrubs respond well to severe random cut backs. (Note: I’m not talking about radical renovation here.) They put on fresh new growth while keeping their attractive form. Their health is barely affected. They grow in a denser shape. In short, they’re robust enough to respond well to severe pruning.
But there’s one important rule to remember when cutting back these or any shrubs: Continue reading
