Old Ninebark shrubs can benefit from full rejuvenation pruning, which means in March you can cut every stem down to the ground, and it will regrow new stems from the roots. We would not do this technique to a young nine bar shrub and we don’t do any pruning to shrubs until they’ve been in the ground for three years. I can’t always respond to comments so for those of you that are experienced gardeners, please jump in and help as much as you can. I am a Garden Coach located in the northwest suburb