When to hard prune a coneaster shrub

Richard388

Have a coneaster shrub which is in need of hard prune to put  back into shape which is growing 

against a east facing wall is it okay to prune at this time of year

Fairygirl

It can be tricky to pick a good time Richard, because at this time of year there are berries for the birds, and in spring flowers for the bees!

I find doing it after the berries are eaten is best, but what I sometimes do is take half away, and then do the other half a few months later. That way, the wildlife doesn't lose out too much. 

Having said that, if it needs chopping, chop it. It'll recover. I had to do it a couple of years ago on one I inherited. I've just removed some thick stems on the same one  - they had no berries on them so I didn't feel too guilty