Rejuvenation involves cutting a shrub back to as close to the ground as possible and is a common practice in the horticulture industry. This process does not harm the shrubs and has many benefits including:

• Encouraging new growth
• Removing dead, diseased or damaged branches
• Increasing flower production
• Reducing and controlling pests
• Reshaping shrubs that have lost their structure or form
• Improving sightlines that contribute to park safety
• Containing shrub growth within property lines

Rejuvenation is often the only maintenance option available with overgrown shrubs when pruning is no longer possible. The main varieties of shrubs that respond well to this pruning method are lilacs, Caragana, cotoneaster, honeysuckle, currants, mock orange, roses and dogwood.

Before rejuvenation, several factors are considered:

• Does the shrub look overgrown?
• Has it lost its structure or form?
• Is the shrub crowded with dead or damaged branches?
• Are there active pests or diseases on the shrub?
• Is the shrub creating safety issues?
• Is clearance required for encroachment issues?

The look of rejuvenated shrubs will initially appear drastic but many shrubs can grow between 30 to 100 cm in the first full growing season, in future years further pruning thins out some of the dense new growth which encourages the plant to focus on growing several strong structural stems. This process can take a few years to train properly. After the thinning, proper horticulture practices help keep these shrubs in better overall health. Depending on the shrub species rejuvenation may be required again in future years.