On Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:02:37 -0600, dpb wrote:

On 11/14/2011 1:43 PM, Ron wrote:
...

Looks like the only realistic option for me would be to remove what I have
and plant new ones. I definitely waited way too long to get around to
dealing with cutting back what I have.
...

Why????

Just cut them back to the ground as the link I pointed you at says and
let them regenerate and then keep them trimmed at the size you want.

I'm with dpb on this. You might not have much luck cutting them
back to 1/2 their current size as it would leave a lot of big woody
leafless branches to support. But if you cut them to the ground it
will send up shoots which will look good the second year and probably
be the right size in 3-4.

Just be aware that if you go to remove them, you will need to dig 3-4
deep and a foot or two bigger than the diameter of the bush. And it
won't be easy digging.

Put a couple large annuals in front of the scraggly stump until it
looks nice-- spend the digging time on ahr.

Jim