Prune shrubs
Some shrubs, such as Philadelphus and the ornamental elders (Sambucus) get a bit out of hand over time, so this is a good time to cut them down to size. First, remove any dead, damaged or diseased shoots altogether, to ground level if necessary. Then, cut back all the older shoots by about half, cutting cleanly to outward-facing buds wherever possible. This is all a bit of a shock to the system, so mulch generously around the base and keep an eye on progress during the year. You may lose a season's flowers, but future performance will be your reward.
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The pink granite chateau that the Cointreau family built in the Loire Valley is for sale at £3.5 millionThe great country seats of the Guinness family have an equivalent over the Channel, where the chateau built by the Cointreau family is on the market.
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Quiz ahoy! Even these gorgeous mice have been waiting for the Country Life Quiz of the Day, November 21, 2025From school reports in South America, it's all in today's Country Life quiz.
