Why was it cut to the ground? This seems like a logical result of cutting a shrub like Physo to the ground, especially if the growing season was compatible with rampant growth.

Without a picture, I would be suggest cutting it back again so it can regain some structure. I just cutback all my Physos.

i would take something like good old fashioned clothes line ... and just bundle the whole thing .. so they can use each other for support ...

and i would try to find all cotton line ... it rots.. when you forget for a decade or two ...... and the size makes untying easy ...

as they thicken ... loosen it.. so they start to assume the shape you prefer ...

ken

it was cut to the ground.. because she got a hate on for it .. lol .. which is another way of saying.. she wanted to rejuvenate it ...

ken

I cut it back severely bc it hated last winter and lay down and acted like a wuss. And it had broken branches and maybe 6 ft of snow accumulated on it over a very intense winter.

Wonder if the soil is too fertile. It has not been overwatered. Picture coming though I don't think it will be of much diagnostic use

haven't figured out picture loading challenge since I use a phone camera

I mean, you're on the right track, Mary, in wondering about excess fertility/moisture, but ninebark is native to swamps-areas having oftentimes both of those site factors. I think of that issue as being more to do with such things as dryland perennials moved into a too-rich and moist situation. Hmmm...?

+oM

Thanks for the ideas. It is still lying there. Too hot to pick up clippers. I have been avoiding it.