If trying to minimize damage and speed new growth, don't cut more than 1/3 of the living mass of the plant off. It needs its leaves to live and thrive.

Next look at the structure of the plant. Where would new leaves and sprouts sprout from? Like in mint there are pairs of leaf buds along the stem. To continue the mint example, make a cut so that you leave a nice healthy pair of buds near the end of a stem. Use the same principle on other plants.

FataMorgana

I'm not fussy when pruning shrubs. Keeping the 'no more than one-third of growth' rule, I just use hedge-trimmers more or less at random.

There's another 'rule' you can think of: if you want a tall, skinny plant, trim more off the sides (to encourage top growth). If you want a short, fat plant, trim more of the top (chop off its head) to encourage side growth. Of course, you have to keep in mind the natural shape of the mature plant - I cannot imagine a tall, skinny rosemary plant, for instance. In cases like that, trim an even amount all round.

'Stalkier' plants like mint can be treated fairly roughly. When mint starts looking untidy, I chop it right back to soil level (or very close to it). It bounces back in no time flat. I do the same with stevia, too, and have done it with basil and other plants as well. Not with the woody plants like rosemary or lavender, however.

Thank you both very much.