[splodger]

it's time to get the secateurs and loppers out  

your shrubs and trees are going to need pruning  

many shrubs need chopping right down - almost to the ground -especially the ones that flower on this years growth  

some of the shrubs to think about include:

caryopteris - cut back to a new shoot - about an inch for old wood, remove dead wood & weak / crowded shoots

cornus (dogwood) - cornus alba & c.stolonifera (which are grown for the coloured stems in autumn) produce the best colour from new shoots - so cut it right down to just a few inches off the ground

fushia (hardy shrub types) - chop right down - to a few inches from ground

indigofera - i.gerardiana - if the frosts haven't got to the shoots - chop them off, back to the old wood - if the frosts have got to it - remove all dead wood

sorbaria - chop it off to a few inches of ground

spiraea japonica - cut down to just above the ground

buddleia davidii - prune to a few shoots short of the old wood - and here's one i did earlier  

[Selkie]

We have an escallonia growing right next to the house, had to chop it down so we could paint the house and it amazed us by sprouting lovely new growth!

 People pussyfoot a bit about pruning, but some plants are incredibly tough.

[splodger]

i'm ruthless  

it's off with it's head this time of year - i love a good pruning session  

some plants really do benefit from a good chop - they suffer if left alone - bit like your pear, rose  :?

[Selkie]

That poor pear -- haven't got started on it yet Splodger, we're waiting for the weather to improve at bit before I go up and start chopping