I think this video has helpful visuals.

Thanks, popmama. The video was very helpful. I've had them for at least 20 years and every season I forget how to prune them! Is this a series with other topics?

I honestly don’t usually prune them. I end up doing spring pruning only when the mice and voles or heavy snow have damaged branches.

The reason I like them unpruned is that the older branches are stiffer and because the blossoms are smaller, so it means that there won’t typically be as much flopping, though with this past summer’s numerous downpours here was some splaying.

But you remove the old blossom heads, don't you? Don't the dead stems detract from the show?

marie

The old stems send out new leaves. But yes, I usually deadhead old blooms in early spring, but just the stem tips with blooms.

Thanks....I have to rethink my pruning habits for this one.l