Physocarpus opulifolius

‘Shady Lady’ is called eastern ninebark in its native America because of its attractive peeling bark, but often we grow it for its creamy flowers and blackish leaves. However, in winter it’s worth thinning this shrub to stop it outgrowing its welcome (one can have too much black). Use loppers take out a third of the more twiggy branches that have flowered leaving the stronger, unbranched canes to arch out and flower the next year.