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Problems with pruning

catnipcatnip Posts: 73
in Problem solving
I cut back a ninebark which was old and did so quite severely. It has grown back and some of the branches are unsurprisingly soft and floppy. I know why shrubs do this but do not know whether I should leave the “weaker” branches or cut them.
Please advise if you have dealt with this issue personally. 
Thanks! 

Posts

  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    What is a nine bark, please? Many trees and shrubs are best pruned at specific times of year. When did you prune this one?
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    It's Physocarpus opulifolius, @Posy.  The curse of common names...  Best pruned immediately after flowering, removing a third of the stems, though it can be hard pruned in winter.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Robin Lane-Fox says "prune when you are in the mood".  But immediately after flowering is safe general advice.

    First prune for shape, before any fancy stuff.  

    In Aberdeen the council prune HT roses with a chain saw at standard 1 foot high.  It seems to work.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • catnipcatnip Posts: 73
    Thanks for your kind contributions but I wonder if any of you good people could advise what to do once pruning goes wrong? As I said, the shrub has put out lots of growth after being severely cut back (I know why this happens and do not need it explained to me). I would really appreciate knowing if any of you have dealt with this same situation: did you cut the branches off or leave them? Thanks again!
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    It's not easy to kill a physocarpus and I chop bits off mine if they get in my way or start bullying other plants.
    However, you have already been 'severe' with yours and I am worried that you could go too far. You haven't said how old it is or how large. I wonder if you want it to be a size or shape that is not natural to the plant itself? They tend to grow very vigorously and are naturally dense and bushy.
    I don't see any reason why you shouldn't take out some tips to discourage further length but I would hesitate to remove large amounts.
    Do you have a picture to show what the problem is?
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