This pruning schedule suits shrubs such as Lonicera, Cotoneaster, Berberis, Box. These shrubs are often shaped geometrically into spheres, cylinders and cubes.

They put on regular growth during the growing season. Several small trims are advised during this period. Regular light trimming, when growth is no more than a few inches, help to maintain and improve the shape of the shrub by encouraging new bushy dense growth.

Usually annual or bi-annual, this pruning schedule better suits the flowering shrubs, which are in the garden to provide some sort of noticeable display at some point during the year.

Ribes, Potentilla, Forsythia and Skimmia are some examples of such shrubs. At some point during the year they produce a display of flowers, berries or perhaps stunning leaf colour or structure.

Normally, for these, it is after the display period has passed that the shrub is given its yearly prune. Very light trimming may be performed during the rest of the year to maintain basic shape.