Pruning Pieris Japonica?

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fcbertsch Wayne, PA(Zone 6a) May 01, 2005

We have two pieris japonicas that are 20 some years old. Our past pruning effoerts have been anything but systematic and certainly less than professional. The result is both plants have gotten too tall and are "leggy." I would like to cut them back to about half their present height of 7-8 feet. My hope would be that they would send out new shoots below the cut and that within a year or so we would have two more mannered and attractive plants. Will this work? if not, I would welcome any advice. With thanks, Chuck

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Kachinagirl Modesto, CA(Zone 8b) May 01, 2005

I don't think I would go that drastic all at once. My rule of thumb when pruning is to prune no more than 1/4th of the head size for standard or patio tree plants and trees and only 1/8th to 1/6th the plant size for shrubs. You can prune that same amount for 2 or 3 years, bringing the plant down to the size you want gradually. It's much less shocking for the plant.

K :~D

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