i dont know about the timing.. but google 'rejuvenation pruning of flowering shrubs' ... this is the basis for proper rejuvenation ... [if it has berries.. it has to have flowers] the link below is how i did a spirea.. by late summer it was back to half size .. i dont know if you can get this carried away with an inkberry.. or whether you will need to do the 3 year system ... i am sure others will chime in ... a picture of your plant would sure help us.. and trust me.. there is always a way to do it ... good luck ken Here is a link that might be useful: link

You will love your dwarf burfurdiis. They grow so slowly that you can easily keep them pruned at whatever size you want, and the deep green foliage and berries are beautiful. I would also direct your attention to Soft Touch Holly. It lends itself to a formal setting without being too stiff, and is exactly the size you're after. I second the motion for Yaupon, Nana (according to Southern Living Garden Book it is fully hardy in zone 7) and for the dwarf Nandinas. Also, Korean Boxwood is an excellent small evergreen. It is slow-growing. I keep mine at 2.5 feet high and wide with one, or occasionally two shearings a year. The truth is, your choices are more limited in the southeast in the very low size range you are specifying for evergreens. In addition, check out the Encore Azalea website. I just used Autumn Chiffon and Autumn Empress in two designs, and these two would fit your size requirements to a tee. The first is white with pink markings, the other a very rich red-orange.

My caryopteris are all leafing out. They are all at least five years old. They are very exposed to the wind. I'm sorry you lost yours. I am very fond of mine but three is all I have room for. I've got Dark Knight, Worchester Gold and one whose cultivar escapes me at the moment. I'll have to look for those Daphnes. My DH is very sensitive to smells but Daphne smells good to him. Many other flowers don't even if I think they are wonderful. I certainly am aware that plants perform differently in different locations. Hebes are fairly new to me so I had nowhere else to start but with the tags since I don't have internet capability unless I am home. Gotta get one of those phones with a browser so I can Google plants from the nursery. I planted the Hebe of questionable hardiness against a south facing wood fence so maybe that will help.

msrose, I have either ‘Miss Lemon’ or ‘Lemon Lime’ abelia in front and back ... they have a more variegated appearance. They stay low, but send up these funny solo shoots, see behind the birdbath. Very easy to snip when needed. This one gets a lot of shade. My ones in front (full sun) flower more: Re: Drift roses ... I have one in the same bed that I had KOs in ... the KOs got RRD and had to be removed, but the Drift is fine so far. It is a risk, for sure. My Drift the other day. I check it daily for the tell-tale signs. ‘Firepower’ Nandina in front: Abelias are my absolute favorite shrub for our state. They‘re soft, super hardy, beautiful, drought-tolerant, disease/insect free ... just perfect. Dwarf Yaupon Holly are also the perfect shrub.