How to Prune Spirea & Barberry Bushes
Barberry hedges are gorgeous especially in the dark plum purple-red coloring most frequently seen in gardens. Spirea bushes also provide a beautiful backdrop in any garden. Their snow white blooms form a cap on the end of the blooming stems that resemble a soft piece of lace. Both of these shrubs can be pruned in the same manner. Pruning enables the shrubs to produce new growth and to thicken out. This will prevent them from getting a "leggy" look which can be quite unsightly. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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How To Prune Spirea & Barberry Bushes
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Using the shears, cut the branches of each bush down to about half of its original height. This will trigger a growth spurt in both shrubs.
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Form each bush into a desirable shape using the shears. Focus on the thickest, oldest branches first. Cut them lower than the newer growth.
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Cut out some of the larger branches located in the center of each bush. This will result in a thicker, fuller center and more blooms.
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Locate any dead wood or limbs on either of the two bushes and cut it flush to any living wood it is attached to. This will free up more room for new growth to spread.
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Heavily prune both spirea and barberry bushes once every two years to keep them healthy and lightly trim them every year to maintain the desired shape.
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Tips & Warnings
Prune these bushes immediately after flowering or they may not bloom the following year.
After severe pruning, the bushes may not bloom the following year.
