[mobilekat]

Among the jungle that is our new garden we have a very straggly Pieris- no idea which one, but looks like it could be 'Flaming Silver' or similar

Its stood at around 1.5 metres (5 foot) and and straggly and rather un-attractive at the moment- I would rather it was half the height and size, as its taken over the bed its in.

I am faced with 2 option really-
dig it out and replace
or
give it a ruddy good haircut and hope

Before I hack it back has anyone ever given one a good haircut?- did it regrow and sort its act out, or am I better off going for the dig it up and replace it option!

thanks

[Yorkie]

I looked on the RHS website and there were reports on there of people having given it a good haircut and it having survived.  Decent feed and lots of watering after doing so would be advised.

NB I haven't tried it myself...

[snowdrops]

If you can bear give the ruddy good haircut in two stages, this year & next, agree with good feed & water.

[compostqueen]

I would be very gentle with it.  Do the dead and diseased bits, any crossed over tight branches first then water (rain water only)
I would give it a feed and then mulch

It should look beautiful again with a bit of tlc

[mobilekat]

Thanks

Will go for a 'firm trim' and some TLC, and then if fresh growth starts it can have a follow up trim after that.

Thank you!

[sunshineband]

Ours survived 

Did it exactly like CQ has described, and fed it with azalea slow release granules. It is much bushier now, rather than straggly at the base and leaning over drunkenly