Early spring time is a good time to prune most shrubs in the garden. They should be pruned for the same reason as trees – when they have become too large and wild, and when you need to trim out old branches.
After pruning, shrubs will often flower better. It is generally preferable, not to do this when there is a risk of strong frost. Roses and other shrubs should be left until later however, but if you’re unsure, ask for advice at your local plant nursery.
It is better to prune too much than too little. Just ‘tidying up’ will have no great benefit to you in the following weeks. Take off a healthy chunk of what you need too, so you’re not outside doing the same job again in two weeks’ time.
We would suggest using secateurs for the smallest branches, they are much easier to use and are ‘size suitable’ for the job in hand. For areas which are more difficult to reach, a long-handled pruner is useful so you have extra added height for the tough jobs. A curved pruning saw always comes in handy for the large branches, but the biggest branches of all may call for a bow saw.