Leaning Escallonia

Hi

I put in a small Escallonia a couple of months ago. When it arrived it was lopsided but I thought it would straighten up when it grew. As you can see this has not happened. This may be because most of the sun comes from the direction it leans. It does have a lopsided shape about it at the bottom so maybe I should have planted it the other way round. It is growing happily, has already bloomed once, and I don't want to ruin it.

Will it correct its lean or is there anything I can do about it? Is it too late to replant the other way round or is this a silly idea anyway?

thanks
Gavin.

 

Hi

You can put a stake in ??, I am suprised how bare it is at the bottom which might be the problem the weight of the top growth is causing it to lean over , this is normaly a very bushy bush so I should imagine it will start producing more shoots at the base over the year and deffo next spring.

I would if me pyt a cane in at least

Spruce

 

thanks Spruce - I'm assuming I put the cane in line with where the roots are and pull the main stem so the plant goes straight up?

regards
Gavin.

 

I have a hundred foot escallonia hedge. Which takes some trimming, believe me. I'd be inclined to prune off the top foot which will encourage it to produce shoots further down the stem. You can prune escallonia quite harshly and it bounces back.

 

Gavin, it looks to me as if the stems are still tied together, did you remove all the ties? If it`s the plant itself, I would suggest waiting until the autumn, then digging the plant up to reset it in an upright position.

 

I guess this is why I'm an apprentice gardener and like to stay so for some time. I have now removed the colour camouflaged tie that was holding the stems together ! I've also put a stake in and these 2 actions together already make it look far better. I'll also trim a bit off to encourage regrowth as you suggest

many thanks to you all
Gavin.

 

Well done Dai, I hadn't spotted the tie!

 

Thanks Marley - so I'll stop it getting any taller until it thickens up at the base, then let it grow and gain height. That's a plan!

thanks
Gavin.