RHS Pruning Group 5: Winter and Early Spring-Flowering Shrubs

RHS Pruning Group 5 covers a small selection of deciduous shrubs that flower during winter or early spring and respond well to hard pruning once flowering has finished.

These plants flower on stems produced during the previous growing season. Pruning at the correct time allows you to enjoy the current year’s flowers before encouraging vigorous new stems that will carry next year’s display.

The basic Group 5 principle is:

Allow the shrub to flower, then prune it hard to encourage healthy new flowering growth.

Which Plants Belong to RHS Pruning Group 5?

Group 5 is intended for deciduous winter and early spring-flowering shrubs that can produce strong replacement growth after being cut back.

The principal example is:

  • Prunus triloba – flowering almond

  • Prunus triloba ‘Multiplex’ – double-flowered flowering almond

Prunus triloba produces masses of pink flowers along its stems during spring. These flowers appear on growth formed during the previous year, so the plant should be allowed to flower before its annual pruning takes place.

The ability to tolerate hard pruning distinguishes Group 5 from many other early-flowering shrubs. Not every shrub that flowers in spring can withstand this treatment, so always identify the plant accurately before cutting it back.

If you are uncertain about a shrub’s identity or pruning group, avoid severe pruning until it has been correctly identified.

When Should Group 5 Shrubs Be Pruned?

The main pruning should be completed immediately after flowering.

For Prunus triloba, this will usually be during spring, once the flowers have faded. However, the precise timing will vary according to the cultivar, local climate and seasonal weather.

Use the end of flowering as your guide rather than relying on a fixed date.

Pruning immediately after flowering means:

  • You can enjoy the current year’s flowers.

  • Old flowering stems can be removed before they become congested.

  • The shrub has the rest of spring and summer to produce new shoots.

  • New growth has time to mature before winter.

  • The replacement stems can carry flowers the following year.

Avoid carrying out the main pruning during autumn or winter. Doing so would remove stems carrying developing flower buds and could substantially reduce or eliminate the following spring’s display.

Dead, damaged or diseased wood can be removed whenever it is discovered, but the principal hard pruning should wait until flowering has finished.

How to Prune RHS Group 5 Shrubs

Begin by inspecting the complete shrub. Identify healthy new growth before removing older stems and check for dead, damaged, diseased, crossing or badly positioned branches.

Step 1: Remove Damaged Growth

Remove dead, damaged or diseased stems first. Make clean cuts into healthy wood and dispose of diseased material appropriately.

Cleaning your tools before moving between plants can help reduce the risk of spreading disease.

Step 2: Cut Back Flowered Stems

Once flowering has finished, cut the flowered stems back hard towards the base of the shrub.

This may initially appear severe, particularly on a mature specimen. However, healthy Group 5 plants should respond by producing vigorous new shoots from the base or lower framework.

These replacement shoots will grow during spring and summer and form the flowering wood for the following year.

Step 3: Remove Weak and Congested Growth

Remove weak, crossing or poorly positioned stems that would overcrowd the plant.

The objective is to leave a healthy, open framework from which strong replacement growth can develop.

Step 4: Retain Healthy New Shoots

Avoid accidentally removing healthy new shoots that have already started to develop. These shoots are important because they will contribute to the plant’s future framework and flowering display.

Making the Correct Pruning Cuts

Always use clean, sharp tools appropriate to the thickness of the stems.

You may need:

  • Secateurs for younger stems

  • Loppers for thicker branches

  • A pruning saw for mature woody growth

  • Protective gloves and eye protection

Make clean cuts and avoid leaving unnecessarily long stubs. Ragged or crushed cuts can take longer to heal and may provide an entry point for disease.

Check that the shrub is stable and that you can reach each branch safely. Larger or neglected specimens may require professional attention.

Looking After the Shrub Following Pruning

Hard pruning stimulates the production of substantial new growth. The plant therefore needs suitable growing conditions during the weeks following pruning.

After pruning:

  • Remove weeds from around the root area.

  • Check that the soil is moist but not waterlogged.

  • Apply a suitable general-purpose feed where required.

  • Add a layer of organic mulch over moist soil.

  • Keep mulch away from direct contact with the stems.

  • Water during prolonged dry weather.

  • Monitor the new shoots for pests or disease.

Newly planted shrubs should be treated more cautiously. They generally require time to establish before severe annual pruning begins.

For advice about watering, mulching and early establishment, see our guide to looking after newly planted trees and hedging.

Common Group 5 Pruning Mistakes

Pruning Before Flowering

Pruning during winter or early spring can remove the stems carrying that season’s flower buds.

Treating Every Spring-Flowering Shrub in the Same Way

Many spring-flowering shrubs will not respond well to the severe pruning used for Group 5. Correct identification is essential.

Leaving Pruning Too Late

Delaying pruning until late summer reduces the time available for replacement shoots to grow and mature before winter.

Cutting Back Newly Planted Shrubs Too Severely

Young plants may not yet have a sufficiently established root system to support vigorous replacement growth.

Using Blunt or Dirty Tools

Blunt tools can crush stems, while dirty equipment can transfer plant diseases between shrubs.

Group 5 Compared With Group 8

Group 5 shrubs are deciduous plants that can be cut back hard after flowering to stimulate vigorous replacement stems.

By comparison, RHS Pruning Group 8 shrubs are early-flowering evergreens that usually require only selective pruning and light shaping after flowering.

Applying Group 5 treatment to a Group 8 evergreen could cause serious damage, which is why identifying both the plant and its appropriate pruning group matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prune a Group 5 shrub in winter?

Dead or damaged growth can be removed, but the main pruning should wait until flowering has finished. Winter pruning is likely to remove developing flower buds.

How hard can I prune Prunus triloba?

An established, healthy Prunus triloba can normally have its flowered stems cut back hard towards the base after flowering. Newly planted, weak or unhealthy specimens should be treated more cautiously.

Will hard pruning prevent the shrub flowering?

It may reduce flowering if completed at the wrong time. When carried out immediately after flowering, the plant has the remainder of the growing season to produce stems for the following year.

Should I feed the shrub after pruning?

A suitable general-purpose feed and organic mulch can support replacement growth, particularly where the soil is relatively poor. Always follow the product instructions and avoid overfeeding.

Do all flowering almonds belong to Group 5?

Do not assume that plants with similar common names require identical treatment. Confirm the botanical name and mature growth habit before carrying out hard pruning.

The Simple Rule for RHS Pruning Group 5

The easiest way to remember Group 5 is:

Let it flower, then cut it back hard.

Correct timing encourages vigorous replacement stems, controls congestion and helps produce a healthy shrub with a strong flowering display the following spring.

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