World's most leggy Rhododendron ?

Big Bang Inflation

Thanks to the help of a forum member yesterday, I was able to put a name to the last unknown plant in my (newish to me) garden.

Now i just have a couple of "problem" plants, this Rhododendron being one of them.

It had such a beautiful display of red flowers in May that I'm loathe to bin it.

Is there anyway to "un-leg-ify" it ?

Interestingly, I'm over limestone (I think) so I'm wondering if that's contributed to its look.

Should I chuck it, attempt to take cuttings or attempt to prune it someway ?

What do you all think ?

UpNorth

It wouldn't flower if it was unhappy in your soil, but I would mulch with erricacious compost just to be safe and feed it.

I love branched up shrubs, it allows underplanting.  Also as it grows, it won't look bad having a foot or two gap underneath.  

pansyface

Two recent photos of our local rhododendron and azalea gardens. Some of the plants are over thirty feet tall. If you stand under them they are quite bare. Trees, in fact, with trunks.

The secret is to place them so that you look down on them. Then you only see the glory. This garden used to be a quarry.

Big Bang Inflation

Thank you UpNorth and pansyface for your replies.

It had never occurred to me that this may be the way some Rhododendrons grow. My assumption to the contrary was obviously incorrect; useful to know. I can see that from the photos you posted pansyface.

OK and great stuff. Your suggestion of under planting is definitely the way forward, UpNorth.

Thank you both for your time and advice.

You prefer the bold typeface, pansyface ? I know some people find it easier to read.

fidgetbones

Is that Lea Gardens near Matlock, Pansyface?  I know that is in an old gritstone quarry.

I have a Rhododendron fragrantissimum that I keep in a large pot. Even then, the stems lay on the floor.  I have to keep it up against a wall because it it slightly tender. I persevere with it because when it does flower, the flowers smell like those cherry lips we used to get as a kid. It transports me back to the little sweet shop by the cinema. (Both no longer there)

pansyface

Yes, BBI.🤓
Yes, fidget.😀