This is quite common on these shrubs, but not usually over the whole plant. If the plant itself looks healthy, I'd cut back to bushier growth, so long as you're sure no new leaves are opening in the bare parts of stems. Now's a good time to give it a reshape and tidy up anyway.

thanks Bamboo. There is no bushier growth to cut back to, we have 6 long stems about 3 feet each which end in the cluster of big leaves.I must admit that I'm not sure that no more leaves will open up on the stems, as on close inspection there do seem to be very tiny buds covering the stems.So, hmmmn. Why would there be these tiny [maybe buds] when the rest of the leaves at the tips are so large? I had better wait and see!

That's just what 'Grace' does. Long legged and a little strange! However, if you cut her back hard she should grow from those little buds. I chop mine down to less than a foot high every other year and she makes about 7 - 8ft tall very quickly indeed

I only mention the possibility of leaves opening up over the next 3 weeks or so because everything's late this year, and I've observed in the past that this shrub often has leaves at the top of stems initially, but more appear lower down later. But not always... I'd be inclined to wait another week or so, then cut back, although it does sound as though it looks deeply unattractive in its current state, in which case you might not want to wait! Certainly won't harm the shrub if you cut back immediately.

thanks, Bamboo and Worthy for your answers. Am wishing that we hadn't planted this shrub now! It looks so attractive in the RHS book.However, it's early days so we should be 'fair' to it I suppose.Will wait a while as advised and then go for the chop.

Oh no! Its a beautiful thing when its got bigger, even if you do have to crop off 'poodly' bits at the top and sides in early summer. My favourite shrub, but yes, if it remains unattractive to your eye, then it may have to go.

No Bamboo, I didn't mean we would get rid of it, I really meant to say chop it [ie. crop it.] I want to give it a year anyway to see what it does; it's not planted in a bed but on the lawn as a 'specimen' shrub, so do want it to look good eventually though.The leaves are lovely, I like the shape and the colour, just wanted to see leaves growing all over rather than the present look!

I just wish I had somewhere to put one, but its a bit big for a balcony, lol