Cutting back shrubs

CluelessNonGardener

I'm a complete newbie to gardening starting this summer, so please be gentle!

Started maintaining a shared garden recently, shared between myself and other flats. None of the other residents are showing an interest in keeping it, so I'm doing what I can to tidy it up.

My question is, will I be doing harm if I cut shrubs down to a couple of feet above ground at this time of the year?

Some of the shrubs need to be cut back as they are overgrowing, but don't want to prune to the point of doing damage. From what I read, it looks like this is ideally done at the start of the year.

theoretica

The answer will depend on what the shrubs are.

malebolge

As above - depends on the shrub. This is a good guide for a beginner and has links for specific shrubs, evergreens and how to drastically cut back.
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=197

DaftyDuck

Search out the "Garden Expert" books by Dr Hessayon. They are available online (Amazon, Play.com) second-hand for cheap - £1.50 including postage sometimes. They are easy to understand, straight-talking, and ideal for a starter gardener. A second-hand copy is always good - you don't mind carting it around outside in the garden.

But, yes, each shrub is likely to have a slightly different regime, and it's well worth trying to get it right from the off. Particularly since, even if the other residents aren't joining in, they'll still shout at you if you've killed all "their treasured shrubs".

CluelessNonGardener

Thanks for the replies.

Identified at least two shrubs as Spiraea so they should respond well according to RHS. I've cut back one of the Spiraea quite aggressively to a couple of ft above ground. Not the ideal time to do it but that one in particular was getting in the way, so it was better to do something. I'll hold off on the others.

Fully agree that it's best to try to get this right, resources you pointed me to look very helpful.