Step by step

1

USE a clean, sharp saw to cut back the main branches to a stump, or stool. The shape of your individual shrub will dictate how low you cut, but usually the stump should be at least 60cm tall. If the branches are large, cut them back in stages.

2

PRUNE vigorous, vertical stems or small water shoots that are growing from the stump, so they’re all the same height. This will help to create a uniform shape once spring growth begins in earnest.

3

THE end result may look rather drastic, but don’t worry – your cotinus will sprout strongly in spring. You’ll soon see that you’ve energised your shrub to recover so well that by July it’s likely to have grown stems that are taller than you!