I returned it. The nursery was very pleasant and said they were thinking of not carrying it anymore despite it's popularity because it did seem to be getting invasive. (Which I appreciate in a nursery.) The spot is difficult because it's on the north side of the house on a slope. So it gets full sun in the summer but deep shade from fall to spring. It's also mostly a dry spot since it is protected from the worst of storms and the water runs off fairly quickly. It WAS a spot that got a little soggy after a big rain (or a lot of it) but I think and hope I have corrected the drainage and erosion issues upslope. Planting this bed and mulching deeply should help slow down the water running off a little. Since I had already decided to baby a Japanese maple in that bed as the showpiece (a Tamukeyama), I replaced the mahonia with another maple (a Red Dragon). Both cultivars are supposed to be able to take more sun than most. And they should compliment each other with similar but different leaves and colors. One spreads and is taller, the other mounds and weeps and is shorter. I don't baby many plants... but I think Japanese maples are worth the extra effort. Okay, I have about a thousand more plants to get in the ground and I've asked a hundred questions here on this landscaping project so I promise in-progress pictures soon.

Like most plants in the Ericaceae family, Pieris japonica can be hard pruned....down to just a few inches above ground........and will regenerate nicely. But it will look pretty bad during the regeneration process, which may take several years for the plant to start producing healthy grow and filling in. That may not be the look you want to tolerate for several seasons if this planting is gracing an entryway, as yours appears to be doing :-) Timing is not all that critical but is best done when plant is in active growth rather than winter dormancy. Enjoy the flowers first, then cut it back.

If you want flowers this summer don't prune it at all now. And I've recommended on your third post about this garden that you stick to one thread so people can see the whole story and see your progress.

I planted 2 seedless grapes, Niagara and Concord, on 2 pillars about 10 feet apart earlier this spring. They are growing a lot, and the Niagara has branches trailing on the ground. How should I prune/train them this season? I can run wires between the two pillars if needed, and I may plant a third grape between them because I have plenty of vertical space and I could maybe train the center grapevine much taller or shorter than the other two. So what should I do for them this season?