Question
Hello!  We have just bought a new home with a walkway leading to an elevated porch at the entrance.  On either side of the walkway is a large bush about 4' long and 5' high.  It causes a narrow tunnel effect until you step up onto the porch. I want to prune them back, but how far can I go before I do damage to the plant?  I don't know the variety.  Also, I would like to have flowers that bloom from spring to fall.  If I plant bulbs, like tulips, can I seed summer/fall blooming plants on top of them or will that hurt the bulbs?

Answer
How far you can prune them depends on the variety. Also some plants may take a long time to recover from a deep pruning so be aware you may have an eyesore for a year while waiting for new leaves, especially if you prune in spring or early summer. Different plants respond to pruning better at different times of year. So you need to determine what type of shrub it is. I would take a piece to your local nursery and ask for and ID.
You shouldn't plant anything on top of bulbs. Nearby is ok, but not on top. Some plants may compete with the bulbs or make it more difficult but in most case you can grow bulbs through the foliage of other nearby plants.

Best of Luck
Sean J Murphy, LA,ISA, LEED AP
Please check out my blogs and articles on landscape topics like this on my websites.
http://www.seanjmurphy.com
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