Question
Back in June you answered my question about saving our redtips in our Richmond, VA home - thank you.  Since then we have decided to move and our new house right nearby (also Richmond, VA) has no photinas- yeah!  However, the foundation shrubs are all completely overgrown and I would like your advice on how to prune them back to normal size.  I would much prefer to do this successfully then have to pay to replace them.  They are all evergreen, although I have not identified them all yet.  A few are boxwoods, some are Foster hollies (I believe), and I don't know yet about the rest.    It appears that if I just gave them a "haircut" there is a layer of green leaves about 6-10" down inside the plants, however, 6-10" of cutting back is not going to bring these shrubs into line.  Please help!  Many thanks!

Answer
Hi again Wendy,
Some evergreens, such as yews, will tolerate extreme pruning, while others (Junipers, cedars) will die if you cut back beyond the last green growth.
If the plants are that overgrown, I would recommend that they be pruned back in stages. This will allow the plants to send out new growth from the trunk that will eventually become the dominant foliage. I would wait until the weather is a little cooler- September/October to prune them back. Prune again in the spring to help direct where the new growth could stay (ie. further back on the branches or just keeping the lateral growth). This will help to retrain the plants into the shape that you would like them to grow.
Do not take off too much at once- maybe just 4-5 inches at a time, to allow the plants to readjust to the loss of the foliage and to send out new shoots. The best way to do this type of pruning is by hand with a pair of hand clippers. Electric or gas hedge trimmers can cause more damage than is necessary.
If you need any more help, please let me know.
Thanks, Ed Gulliksen