Can any one identify these shrubs?

[Callmegeoff]

The first one is 12 foot high, we lifted the canopy when we first moved which annoyed dds as they had a den behind it. I've seen them around and they can get really big, I'm just curious as to what it is - smells quite nice too!

I think the second one is spirea arguta. Do I cut it to the ground after flowering or knee high or what?

[NanTheWiser]

The first one is the Cherry laurel - Prunus laurocerasus, very nice! The Spiraea can be cut down quite severely if you wish - I have S. 'Goldflame' which gets chopped down to the ground in late autumn, so they are amenable to hard pruning.

[StaceyAndTracey]

Anything that's spring flowering, like your spirea , should be pruned straight after it flowers . Remember -

" if it flowers before June, don't prune " [ in the spring ]


I'd cut back the stems that have flowered and one third or a quarter of the old stems . Cut the right back to the base of the plant

Then you will renew the whole shrub every 3-4 years .

Don't cut back all the stems to knee height, you will spoil the elegant shape of the plant

[Callmegeoff]

Thank-you that's really helpfull :)