I have a beautiful bush about 7 - 8 feet tall now planted over 2 years ago. When is the best time to prune it back since it is growing so much and some of the growth is looking a little straggly. I live in Houston Texas area so it is really hot right now. I wasn't sure if this was a summer pruning or prune when I do the roses etc. in February?

Hi Baybreeze, and welcome to garden.org.

Your Duranta (Golden Dewdrop) should be in bloom and maybe making fruit now. The birds like to eat the golden fruit, and the flowers attract butterflies.

I would wait and prune hard in February when the plant is dormant. If you prune now you will get a lot of bushy ungraceful growth. If there are branches flopping over in your way, cut them out at the source - ground level or inside, at the next big stem NOT at the ends. This thinning will help the plant to not get a stunted, awkward shape.

These plants have a reputation for being difficult to shape nicely, and it's mainly because people try to cut off the ends of the branches instead of thinning.