that's what I'd expect a Cotinus to look like after a few years - if its too large and you're struggling with it, you have only one option - take it out and use a smaller plant instead - Berberis thunbergii atropurpureum, maybe, if you still want purplish leaves? Or Berberis Red Chief, which is upright at first. The only thing is, these berberis varieties will remain green if they get less than about 5 hours sun a day.

Welcome,that,s what I like about gardening,nothing is set in stone,well apart from a concrete path that is.What I have found re.pruning,cutting back etc. is that it tends to promote further growth so you end up with even more to contend with.If you are dissatisfied with it get the loppers and bow saw out and get rid of.I did the same with a cordyline and sycamore tree recently and it opened up my garden, your options for replanting are numerous.They say a change is good as a rest but there is no rest if your a gardener,kerryvw.

Cut it all back hard....Cotinus don't mind a good prune

It looks beautiful to me - count your blessings, especially when the sun shines through the leaves! Always check the eventual height of a shrub before you buy it!

Thank you very much. Bamboo, kerryvw,bad fish and steragram for getting back to me. I didn't, actually plant this Cotinus. I had the garden landscaped and I had no idea that this would grow so large at the time since my knowledge of gardening is very limited.l am getting on now and find I can no longer manage this beautiful shrub.
Since it is taking all the light from my very small garden I feel it must come out.

They are beautiful - but they do need space to look at their best, so sadly, I think you're right.