Typical landscape refresh is a rip out and replace thing, which can be wasteful. To be honest, some stuff like Taxus badly sheared for decades is pretty much a lost cause, however some old shrubs can be salvaged, refreshed & reused
There are some really good old world shrubs that are often the same age as many of our pre WWII homes in Northern New Jersey. Examples below are Bridal Wreath Spirea (Spiraea prunifolia) and Weigela. Additionally old native Rosebay Rhododendrons, Mountain Laurels (both natives) are well worth salvaging.
These vintage shrubs can be refreshed with appropriate pruning and updated by adding modern natives to landscape such as Inkberry (Ilex Gabra), Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius), Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum) and native perennials (more on those here: https://www.dirthacker.com/post/birds-need-bugs-bugs-need-native-plants)
