how about a pic ...

also.. google RENOVATION PRUNING OF FLOWERING SHRUBS ...

read up on that... and then we could address some more specific questions...

KEN

Prune it now and you lose next year's flowers. Of course if it looks like an ugly beast it is time to cut it down! You can prune it back to 10" high (the entire plant) and it will send up sprouts from the root system and you will have a new shrub by the end of next year. From then on the best time to prune it is immediately after flowering.

Here's a photo, hopefully the truck provides perspective. I'd say it's about 6 feet tall and 8 feet in diameter.

Looking at the location I'm just wondering about your rationale for wanting to prune your shrub. It appears to be in an uncultivated location with plenty of space. I wouldn't class it as monstrous. It's just attained a decent mature size. It could maybe do with a bit of refreshing via rejuvenation pruning but I see no worries regarding its size or health. I'd be interested in seeing a close up of the foliage. It looks rather un weigela-like.

I agree, why would you want to prune it?

Mike

It's in a mixed border and it's really just too big--it's eclipsing its neighbors including some Virginia bluebells and hibiscus. Also it doesn't flower that nicely compared to my other weigela, a different variety, that is covered in blooms in spring and much prettier. It just looks disproportionate to the space.

A different variety..... Is it absolutely, definitely a Weigela? I'd really like to see some foliage.

You will always be fighting it if you want to keep it from hiding smaller plants. It is worth considering moving the smaller plants rather than trying to change the nature of a shrub.

It's quite dark out now but I will try to post closeup of leaves tomorrow. I just had two baby weigela planted in my backyard and the flowers are the same, though.

If it's in the way, put a chain around it and pull it out. Drag it where you've dug a hole,Put it in, backfill, water, cut it off hard and be done with it.

Put it in a spot where you don't have to tend to it on a regular basis. Location is it's only problem.

Mike

Close up of leaves

mmm.... I suppose if the flowers were the same as your back yard plants it's a Weigela but the foliage is a little atypical.