Weigelas can get big, but the time to prune them is right after they're done flowering in spring. Whack them in fall and you'll cut off the flower buds that would've opened next spring.

Lots of new choices in shrubs are available in sizes that top out in the 2- to 3-foot range, including 'My Monet' weigela, 'Blue Chip' butterfly bush and 'Filli' crape myrtle.

Q: I planted several weigela shrubs in front of the house 18 years ago. My neighbors’ vinca has invaded that area. We have a bunch of pretty, large blue rocks and a lot of Mexican pebble rock ...