How to prune my overgrown Cotinus coggygria 'Golden Spirit'

United Kingdom

This shrub is more like a tree now, it has been mistakenly tip pruned a couple of times and got a bit straggly. Its' really outgrown its space and I want to hard prune it but I'm not sure how to go about it. Is there anything I can do to it now?

(This photo was taken in June 07)

Many thanks

On plant Cotinus coggygria 'Golden Spirit'

2 Mar, 2009

Answers

Spritzhenry

Yes, they respond well to hard pruning - right back to 2-3 buds from the base. Then feed it well, with well-rotted manure if you can, or mulch with compost and add blood, fish and bone.
Some people do this every year to get larger leaves - of course at the expense of the flowers, though!

2 Mar, 2009

Rbtkew

Spritzhenry is spot on. prune hard now and you will have larger and brighter coloured foliage for the rest of the year.

2 Mar, 2009

Volunteer

I agree. but if you're worried you could cut out a third of the branches ( the longer ones) down to the base, then repeat this every year. That way you rejuvenate the shrub and it will never overstep the mark again!!
p.s. lovely border!

5 Mar, 2009

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