How to Prune Spirea Shrubs

This spirea has a nice shape if it were part of hedge. However, it is too dense for a shrub in amongst other greenery (there are trees and azaleas in the immediate area). This spirea is about five tall.

The spirea from Step 1 has been trimmed back by cutting branches greater than the diameter of a pencil down to about six inches from the ground. In addition, the top was trimmed back a foot. The results are a wispy appearance that makes the spirea compliment the area, not overpower it. This pruning was completed using a hand-held pruner.

Here's another example of a spirea that would do well if it were part of a hedge. As a solitaire shrub with fading bulb-based flowers at its base, it could use some thinning.

In this case, the spirea depicted in Step 3 is now shown with its based trimmed to expose the wood. In addition, the top was cut back a foot and thick branches were cut to about six inches above ground. Next spring when the bulbs at its base bloom, they will not only be easier to see, they will have a perfect backdrop. This pruning was completed using a hand-held pruner.

The small green leaves of the spirea, with its arching branches, makes it a suitable balance for a perennial flower garden as shown in this image. This shrub, however, has been left to grow too many years without a dramatic pruning. When deciding how much to prune back, consider the location of the shrub. In this case, there's not only a fence, but on the other side of the fence is lovely Japanese maple. The base of this spirea is more than two feet in diameter, making it too large for the location.

The best solution is to cut this entire spirea down to about six inches above ground using loppers. That makes the Japanese maple more visible while at the same time improving the view of the perennial garden. This spirea will grow back and kept petite, it will do quite well at this location.