How to Prune a Tor Spirea

Prune your spring blooming "Tor" Spirea in the very late spring or early to mid-summer immediately after the shrub finishes blooming. Refrain from later pruning as this will remove the next year's flower buds.

Thin crowded or overgrown shrubs by removing up to 1/3 of the oldest branches down to the crown of the plant each year, as needed. Remove any damaged, abrading or defoliated stems first, then select evenly spaced healthy branches to remove until you achieve the appearance you want. Sever the branches with loppers if less than 1/2-inch diameter and use a fine toothed pruning saw for anything larger to prevent injuring the surrounding tissues.

Shear the shrub into a small hedge or manicured shape with long blade pruning shears. Remove up to but no more than 1/3 of the shrub volume in this manner each year. Whatever your desired shape, keep the shrub wider at the bottom than the top to allow sunlight to reach the leaves and prevent defoliation.