prune or shear ...

though i doubt it makes a difference ...

in my z5 MI .... there is like 3 to 4 months to dormancy.. crikey.. that half the season ...

why do you think its late??? .. i bet i know why.. you are using words like fall and summer.. to define a growing season.... and those words mean nothing to a plant in its growing season...

dont you think ...

go for it ...

ken

Thanks Ken, I started on the biggest one this morning. It's going to take awhile to get done. (g)

I'm going to disagree on this one. Pruning is, first and foremost, a growth STIMULATING activity, especially so when shearing is the method.

This is the time of year when woody plants need to be able to store energy and not use it up when they react to pruning by a flush of new growth. Not only might that leave a woody plant in a deficit come springs, but a new flush of growth might not have an opportunity to fully harden in time before the cold temperatures come to your location.

Chances are that your shrubs will be fine as long as the first freeze isn't too early nor too severe.