Supporting Wind Blown Shrubs.
Wind can be damaging to shrubs, especially if the shrubs are young or have not been properly trimmed and pruned. If your shrubs have been damaged by wind, there are a few things you can do to help them recover:
You may have shrubs in your garden growing beautifully then suddenly they suffer wind damage. In some cases, shrubs can be pruned to reduce susceptibility to wind damage. However, those shrubs that have already suffered damage will need help to thrive and grow straight again.
For single-stemmed shrubs, a standard 2″ x 2″ tree stake should be enough to do the job. Simply drive this into the ground as near to the base of the plant as possible. Take care not to damage any of the main anchor roots. Once you are convinced that the stake is secure in the ground, attach the stem using a rubber spacer and buckle. Tie by passing the pointed end of the tie through one side of the spacer, then around the stem and back through the other side of the spacer. This should secure the stem in a loop against one side of the spacer. Secure to the stake using the buckle end. Aim to finish with the top of the stake approx 1/3rd of the stem length, this may mean sawing off the top of the stake.
Secure the tie to the stake using a galvanised nail, do not drive the nail all the way home, and leave it slightly proud so it can be removed easily when you need to adjust the tie.
Alternatively, you could drive in 3 – 4 shorter stakes driven into the ground at an angle away from the shrub and secure using a “guy line” system of wires. Slide a length of old garden hose, approx 4″ – 6″ long, and use this to form a loop around a suitable point in the crown, above a branch joint to avoid it slipping down the stem. Secure and tension the wire to the stakes.
The multi-stem specimen could be a little more awkward to support. You could use a single stake if there is enough clear stem available, You might be able to achieve this by pruning away some of the lowest branches. Or use the guying system, choosing the strongest stems from within the crown.
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