Question
wow! thanks for the fast response gary!

i want to be sure i understand what you're saying...
so i should prune all the branches down to 4 inches above grade and "remove" 1/3 of the oldest ones. how specifically do i "remove" these older branches? and how can i tell which branches are oldest, they all look pretty much the same size i think. (i've never done any gardening before, can you tell? :-)

thanks again,
debra



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Followup To
Question -
hi gary,

i have an older spirea shrub that is very leggy and woody at the base. when should i try to clean it up and how? if i wait until fall when the leaves have fallen off then how will i be able to tell which are dead branches and which are not? also, the shrub is about 3 or 4 feet tall, how close to the ground can i prune it without destroying it?

thanks!
Answer -
Debra,

You could prune a bit now to take care of any wild stems and branches, but wait until late winter/early spring to take care of the legginess.

For spirea annual pruning is required after about 3 years in the ground and is actually fairly easy.  Each year remove about 1/3 of the cane/branches and cut about 4" above grade.  Leave the remaining 2/3.  Now which 1/3 do you remove?  Always take the oldest canes.  In this way you will always have younger canes on the plant which will produce the best flowers and maintain a more natural form.  If you want you can always shear the plant to make little green meatballs, but I would advise against.

Good luck in the garden.

Gary

Answer
Debra,

Only prune the 1/3 oldest canes/branches to 4", leave the remaining canes as they are.  the oldest canes will be the biggest in diameter.  It can be confusing in the beginning.  After two years it will be easy as you will have canes being 3 yr, 2 yr, and 1 yr.  

This is called renewal pruning.  Go to this URL for a description and drawings demonstrating this technique.

http://www.bruceco.com/Information/basics/pruning.html

Good luck

Gary