When shrubs that by nature flower freely and are rightly placed with regard to soil and position refuse to bloom, root pruning will sometimes effect an alteration.
[Illustration: _CEANOTHUS AZUREUS AT KEW._]
ABELIA.--This genus is barely hardy, and, in most localities, is usually pruned sufficiently or too much by frost. A moderate thinning of the shoots in spring is sufficient.
ACANTHOPANAX.--There are three species of this genus hardy in this country, and of these _A. ricinifolium_ requires no pruning beyond the cutting away of side-shoots to a single stem, as it attains the dimensions of a tree in Japan, its native country. _A. sessiliflorum_ and _A. spinosum_ are low-growing shrubs, and require an occasional thinning out, which is best done in late summer to allow the remainder to thoroughly ripen before winter.
[Illustration: _CEANOTHUS AZUREUS, VAR. MARIE SIMON._]
ACTINIDIA.--A climbing genus, easily grown in warm, sheltered localities. They require very little pruning, but should be watched in spring when growth has commenced, or the twining shoots will get into a tangled and unsightly mass. Any growth not required should be cut away in winter.
ÆSCULUS (Horse-Chestnut).--The common representative of this requires little or no pruning, but the other species are benefited by a thinning out of misplaced and useless branches in late summer to allow light and air to the centre of the tree. This is especially important to all the Æsculus in a young state. _Æsculus parviflora_ should have a good thinning if the branches or suckers become at all thick, cutting all growths not required clean away from the base.
AKEBIA.--"_Akebia quinata_ has flowered here, on an east wall, profusely for the last seventeen years, under the following pruning treatment: Cover the space allotted with the strongest shoots, and when new growth pushes from the eyes or spurs in the spring, do not regulate it, but summer-prune away all superfluous growth before it gets entangled. It is from 'spurs' that the flowers are produced, and the more these are kept clear, the more matured they become, and flower correspondingly."--E. M. in _The Garden_.
AMELANCHIER.--These should be pruned after the flowers are past, the removal of badly-placed and weakly shoots being all that is required. If the plants are becoming too large, they can be shortened back at the same time.