Iam sure many of us have enjoyed in our own gardens, if not the neighbours' or perhaps in the local park, the blooms of some of the popular spring flowering shrubs. For example, it's difficult to miss the profusion of tubular, four-petalled, rich, golden yellow flowers displayed on bushes of Forsythia x intermedia, which can cheer up even the dullest of days. This hybrid can grow to at least eight feet, with a similar spread, to form a medium to large hardy shrub. It will happily grow in the sun or partial shade and isn't too fussy about soil type.

There are several excellent clones available for garden cultivation; one of the most frequently seen is Forsythia x intermedia ''Spectabilis'', again with golden blooms. For a really spectacular display look out for ''Lynwood'', which is not only free-flowering but has much broader bright yellow flowers.

As common are the flowering currants, Ribes sanguineum, with their lovely long pink pendent racemes. It is just a shame, in my opinion, that the rather pungent smell of this plant isn't as attractive as the flowers!

It forms a medium-sized shrub with a height and spread of around seven feet, and, given a well-drained site, again in sun or partial shade, this hardy deciduous plant will soon become established.

Of the named varieties of Ribes sanguineum, the less vigorous form, ''King Edward VII'', is well-known, with deep crimson flowers; so, too, is ''Pulborough Scarlet'', with rich red blooms. Slightly more unusual, and hence not so readily available, is the white form ''Tydeman's White''.

If you like golden foliage, try to find ''Brocklebankii'', a small, slower-growing form, still bearing those familiar pink flowers.

These two most valuable groups of plants both flower on shoots produced in the previous growing season and should, therefore, be pruned immediately after flowering. This, unfortunately, is a job I often see neglected with the result that such specimens bear less flowers and those produced are often at the top of the plant.

Pruning is essential to encourage a regular supply of young shoots to develop lower down the plant each year. This is basically a renewal pruning and at the same time helps to maintain a reasonably sized and shaped plant.

As I have said before, I know people can be put off by the thought of pruning, but this procedure is quite straight forward. You need to cut all the flowering stems back to healthy vigorous shoots lower down on the branches.

In the case of established specimens that have many crowded branches you can take out as much as one fifth to a quarter of the old wood right down to the base. Do be careful, however, to always keep a well-balanced shape to your shrubs. Take your time as you select the older branches for removal.

If you have recently purchased a young Forsythia x intermedia or flowering currant from the local nursery or garden centre and planted it in the garden, it may well benefit from a pruning now to help produce a good sturdy framework for years to come. In general, container-grown specimens are two or three years old and it is advisable to completely remove any weak or damaged wood and then prune the main stems fairly hard back to just above strong, healthy buds.

Some of the early summer-flowering shrubs also fall into this category of removal pruning. For example, the beauty bush Kolkwitzia amabilis, a most graceful plant with upright arching branches, reaching as high as 12feet, with a spread of 10feet, when fully grown. In a sunny site it will produce clusters of pretty, pink bell-shaped blooms, with creamy yellow throats over the next month or two. Better known is Weigela florida, a medium-sized deciduous shrub, which will soon bear clusters of attractive funnel-shaped pink flowers that resemble small foxgloves.

A particular favourite of mine is the more compact form, ''Folliis Purpureis'', with beautiful purple-pink blooms that show up so well against the striking dark purple-green foliage. If you, however, like variegated foliage, however, then consider growing ''Variegata'', with superb creamy-white edges to the leaves and pale pink flowers.

There are also numerous hybrids, of which Weigela florida is one of the parents, and both ''Bristol Ruby'', with ruby red flowers, and ''Newport Red'', with bright red blooms, I have successfully grown at the original Beechgrove garden. On the new site, I have high hopes for a recent introduction named ''Victoria'', described as having a compact habit with green purplish-black leaves and rose red flowers with prominent yellow stigmas.

The much-loved Philadelphus falls into this group and contains a wonderful range of hardy deciduous flowering shrubs. The blooms are white, single or double-cupped and beautifully scented. This fragrance is similar to that of orange blossom, hence the common name of Mock Orange. To mention just a couple of the popular garden hybrids ''Beauclerk'' has single white flowers, flushed purple at the base of the petals, or if you are looking for a double-flowering form, one of the best is ''Virginal'', a vigorous erect grower reaching up to 10feet.

So remember then, if you have any of these early summer flowering shrubs I've just mentioned, relish the blooms over the next couple of months, but, as soon as they fade, take out your secateurs and practise some renewal pruning, knowing you'll reap the benefits next year.