Hope I'm in right spot to ask a question. Bought 10 last summer and planted about 5' feet apart. This was on the instruction of the nursery and he picked them so I am assuming they are the dwarf type. We did plan the planting and spacing so I went on his word. I have 4 red, 4 purple and 2 pink.

I pruned them in late January when just about all leaves had dropped. Tried to prune them correctly and not butchering them, read about crepe murder. The branches varied from 16" to about 22" when i was done. Now June 1 and the new growth has already reached 20" to about 36". The pink ones are in full bloom and too heavy to support the weight. Purple ones starting, looks like same problem. Red ones grew the tallest and again, I bet they will fall over. I put a stake in the ground and tied off the pink branches to help support them.

My question is, what now? Stake them all for this summer? Prune back after 1st bloom drop. how far? Pruning next winter? I read a lot of forums on pruning and most people say don't, except light necessary trimming.

Will the branches thicken up over this year if I leave them alone?

Thanks for you help. The plants are beautiful and really make my front yard. Do not want to ruin them!

Joe G

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