By
eHow Home & Garden Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
Step1
Select a sharp set of shears before you start to prune your shrub. A dull set of blades can crush the wood along the cut, causing damage that may work its way back to the center of the plant. Not only will sharp blades make the job easier, but a smooth cut will also promote new growth on the shrub.
Step2
Determine the right time of year to prune your shrubs based upon the type of plant you have and your specific climate zone. Some faster-growing shrubs prefer to be pruned in the early spring, so new growth can start developing and blooming in time for warmer weather. Other shrubs prefer to be pruned in the late fall in order to reduce the amount of leaves that can be damaged by the frost.
Step3
Use a proper pair of gardening gloves to protect your hands while you prune a shrub. A sharp-cutting blade can create a sharp edge on a branch, and you can easily cut your knuckles if you reach far enough into the shrub to remove dead branches.
Step4
Prune your shrubs by cutting at an angle, away from the orientation of the buds on the branches. Cut about 6 inches of growth away from a mature shrub, and somewhat less for plants that are still in their second season or less.
Step5
Try not to prune the shrub too severely, or to remove most of its healthy growth. While it is generally difficult to kill a mature shrub, it may take a season or two before it can rebound from an overly aggressive pruning.
Step6
Avoid cutting too much new growth from your shrubs. The leaves of newer branches are generally lighter in color, depending upon the shrub. Allow the new growth to fill out the empty spaces in your shrubs, and shape the shrub accordingly.
