How to prune clethra alnifolia 'hummingbird'

Late winter to early spring before bud break. Use sharp secateurs to remove dead or weak stems at or near ground level. If the centre becomes congested, cut one or two of the oldest canes to the base to let in light. Avoid shearing the top.

As needed — light thinning every 2–3 years. Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' is a compact, slow-growing cultivar that needs less pruning than the species. In late winter, remove any dead or damaged stems and cut out the occasional oldest cane at the base to keep it vigorous. Its naturally tidy habit rarely requires reshaping.

Use sharp secateurs to remove dead or weak stems at or near ground level. If the centre becomes congested, cut one or two of the oldest canes to the base to let in light. Avoid shearing the top.