Hi all.

I'm a newbie to this newsgroup as I have not so long ago moved to house
with a garden, so my interest is developing. The garden is mostly at the
landscaping stage but I did manage to create a single bed last year!!! It is
a new build house so I have started from scratch, from a two dimensionally
sloping lawned area to, what will be, and is the way too, a more tiered
structure.

But I digress, My question is concerning "fatsia japonica". I have this
plant in my one border (among others I hasten to add) but it is looking an
unhappy soul. It was planted at the end of last year in this semi shaded
bed, though it looked fine for the later throws of summer after wintering
(we are in Glossop, Derbyshire) it now looks a little worse for wear. Some
of the branches are snapped and the leaves are browned at the edge. I assume
this would be wind damaged as it has been quite rough for the last few
months. The new growth at the top had also died off. Now spring is upon us
it is perking up a little and some new growth has appeared from the top. The
plant is two foot tall and has aprox 5 leaves/side-shoots on it. I want to
prune this back to create a more "bushy" plant rather than the single
stemmed scrawny thing it is now. I have searched the net for pruning tips
but I am a little unsure of what to do to to achieve a more fuller specimen.

The quotes I have read say cut back to 6" above ground level in early
spring, but this seems harsh. Does any body have any advice on this dilemma?
Is such harsh pruning (it works on a buddleia we have, but on Fatsia?) a
good idea? Would a feed be of help? If a photo of the plant would help I can
forward one on if you so wish.............


Thanks in advance

Jason