Green foliage is producing food for the roots so I would keep them. Not sure why the drastic cut but if you desire a plant of a tinier height, consider a cultivar that already has an estimated size at maturity closer to your liking so you do not need to prune hard again. For an overgrown specimen, you can cut all crossing branches, make to inside/center more airy and sunlit and you can reduce branches that grow the wrong direction or that are not aesthetically pleasing. In between prunings, you can also use pinching of faded blooms. Both specimens have too much growth towards the left side of each plant. Perhaps cut the bottom left branch of the second plant. I could not tell if any of these remaining branches are too close or touching other; need a 3-dimensional picture ;o)) for that. After there is more leafout, take a second look to see if the new look is what you want and do minor tweaks if needed.
