Hi all,

Our big budlea (12fthigh, 6 ft wide) was semi blown over a couple of
weeks ago so that it now lies at an angle of 45 degrees to the ground.
We don't want to loose it (or stake it). The flowering branches start
to grow from about 4 ft up the trunk.

My question is: if we cut it back to 2ft (ie to the main trunk only)
would new growth start to sprout out of the main trunk? or can we only
cut it back to new groth (ie 4ft, which would look very odd at such an
angle in the garden!).

The roots have slightly been uprooted but are now stable and still
appear to be firmly lodged in the ground.

Any tips for this beginner gardener would be much appreciated!
Thanks
Rebecca

"Rebecca" wrote in message
om...
Hi all,

Our big budlea (12fthigh, 6 ft wide) was semi blown over a couple of
weeks ago so that it now lies at an angle of 45 degrees to the ground.
We don't want to loose it (or stake it). The flowering branches start
to grow from about 4 ft up the trunk.

My question is: if we cut it back to 2ft (ie to the main trunk only)
would new growth start to sprout out of the main trunk? or can we only
cut it back to new groth (ie 4ft, which would look very odd at such an
angle in the garden!).

Be very careful - older Buds hate to be disturbed. Although they respond
well to agressive pruning,
hacking at the trunk will probably finish it off.
We had an elderly Bud blown over and eventually lost it - although several
new shrubs appeared from
the roots after a year or so.
I'd be tempted to dig a deep trench behind and beneath it, avoiding the
roots, and try to "collapse it" back 'till it's upright.
Don't put too much pressure on the trunk - they are surprisingly fragile.