lonicera nitida pruning

does anyone know how hard i can prune this hedge back?can't find it anywhere on the net.

Prune Lonicera nitida in early spring before the new growth begins to emerge. Use a pair of sharp pruning shears to make clean cuts. For larger branches, select a tree pruning saw.

Look at the overall shape and size of the shrub and visualize the desired result. It may help to tie string at the places you intend to cut to get a visual idea of what the final result will look like.

Cut out any wood that is dead or that looks damaged or diseased. Cut dead branches off close to where they branch out from live wood.

Prune branches that extend beyond the total overall size you are looking for in your Lonicera nitida.

Make the cuts 1/4 inch above a leaf node at each cutting. Leave every third branch 6 to 12 inches longer than the others to encourage a natural-looking final shape. Lonicera nitida shrubs naturally grow 6 to 8 feet tall. To maintain a shrub 4 to 6 feet tall, remove the branches that extend beyond the total desired height.

Thin out Lonicera nitida more extensively every three years. Remove a third of the large older branches at ground level. Use a tree pruning saw for branches that are too large for pruning shears.

Hope this helps

Quoted from this site

http://www.ehow.com/how_7732337_prune-lonicera-nitida.html

If it has got out of hand cut 1 side back as hard as you like then wait until next year to do the same to the other side.

thanks so much for all your input,i have quite a few at the bottom of the garden surrounding a water feature. i'm looking to prune it back quite hard so if it's very forgiving that's what it's  getting.
                  cheers