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Anyone know what these two shrubs are and...

TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
in Problem solving
...why one of them has gone all leggy and straggly and spread out (looks like someone has sat on the middle of it)?

To me they look awful (even the more rounded one) but they have been here longer than I have and I'm not sure if I wanna get rid of them just yet.

Is there a way to tidy up the one on the left?

Any advice, as ever, would be very much appreciated. 
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Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Might be santolina. Compare the leaves on Google
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    @B3 You’re very clever! 

    Thank you. 

    Looks like I need to prune and shape in autumn or early spring. 


  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957

    SHRUBS

    Santolina (after flowering)

    Remove the faded flower-heads along with any straggly shoots in autumn. As the shrub ages it may become open exposing ugly woody growth. In this situation, cut back the flowered shoots to within 2.5cm (1in) of the old growth during early spring.

  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    "it may become open exposing ugly woody growth"

    Yep yep yep!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I thought it could be Helichrysum - another equally ugly plant IMO  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    @Fairygirl I might allow them this season and then give them the chop.

  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    @Fairygirl Internet says they are beloved by bees.  Not seen a single one on them so far.  Bah!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited July 2021
     :D 

    I should say - we often just put up with plants we inherit, because they're there, but if you don't really like them, it's far better to chuck them and have something you really like. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Desi_in_LondonDesi_in_London Posts: 731
    @Fairygirl ,if it's helichrysum wouldn't @JamesSB be able to just smell the curry spice smell from the leaves ( or is it only certain kinds  that have that aroma?) 
    Kindness is always the right choice.
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    It's definitely Santolina.  If it smelled of curry I might let it have another year @Desi_in_London  
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