All I can tell you is that we had a well established big one - over 6 feet tall which had to be cut back and moved. i didn't think it would survive but it never turned a hair. Go ahead and chop it.

we had to do the same and it romped away. we did it late winter early spring if that helps.

Prune it!

The ones in Flagstaff, AZ frequently had out of control cars roll over them in winter, and came right back from short stumps next spring. I don't foresee any problems, myself!

Thank you all for your responses! I'm going to go for it and I'll hope for the best.

hollyduff

Hello All

For future information of anyone else wondering whether to severely cut back their overgrown and tatty looking Berberis; I did indeed - go for it - and it came back beautifully!
I fed it a lot when appropriate and it the whole 'makeover' seemed to rejuvenate it!

Thanks again to all those who answered.

HollyDuff

I'm really pleased you 'bit the bullet'. you now know in the future you can be quite severe with it :o)

Excellent! Sure it will look much better now.