@Leftwood ...
We cross-posted.
Thank you. I am beginning to see the light through my confusion.
I've been working outside all day, so I didn't get photos in better light .. sorry about that.
I just went out and measured the growth from the point where the leader was pruned out. The four branches go in four different directions. The growth to the top from that point is about 33 inches for all four branches. Yes, there is twiggy growth and other branching on all of them.
I think what you are saying, please correct me if I am wrong, is to allow one of those four branches to have apical dominance by reducing the height of two of the other branches and eliminating the smallest branch to create a "form" for the canopy as the plant grows.
Would you remove the branches that are close to the ground as they would eventually be shaded by the upper parts of the plant ?
I had been told that after flowering, I should cut each twiggy shoot back by two nodes to create a denser branching at the ends of those shoots so that I would have more flowers the following year. Is this correct information ? Since I haven't done anything to the plant except to allow it to become established, I have yet to follow this advice.
Smiles,
Lyn
>>>>as that odd branching configuration will become more prominent with time >>>
That's exactly why I have the feeling I need to do something to shape the tree/shrub.
