A shrub with cane-like stems and perhaps related to abelia. The angle of the stems on them now doesn't matter, you will soon end up with a clump of multiple stems growing up and out from the center. With its curling bark it looks sort of like Deutzia scabra, although not as trashy.

what did forest farm recommend ????

ken

Heptacodium miconioides, the only Heptacodium I see on Forest Farm's website, doesn't really remind me of Deutzia scabra and doesn't have what I would call cane-like stems. It sounds to me like the primary stem may have died or been broken off and they are selling you the stump with what was a branch sticking out (guessing). I think if it were me, my first reaction would be to call Forest Farm (like Ken is saying) and ask them what they could do.

Here is a link that might be useful: Heptacodium miconioides

Ken: I haven't called them. But that is an excellent suggestion so I will do that today.

Brandon7: Yes, that's it exactly. They look exactly like stumps.

I guess I wouldn't be as concerned if they put out new shoots from the ground. But that is not always the case. I already have an four year old Heptacodium and It's got two trunks and has never sent up any more. I guess I'll call Forest Farm. Thank you very much everyone

Ok, I spoke with Ray at Forest Farm. He started out by saying that the new growth would grow upwards and that the the very sharp 90 degree trunk bend could possibly straighten out over time. Then he brought up staking. Seriously? I don't think so. We're not talking soft pliable stems. Then he said with age the new growth would hide the sharp bends. I told him I was concerned that the majority of the trunk was going to be running parallel to the ground, seems that this could cause a weakened structure once it has height and weight. What do you think. He also suggested cutting the trunks below the first bend and it "should" resprout. These plants are single trunked(stemmed), if they were multiple trunks I would just cut back the bent one.
In fairness, Ray did say he would refund my money, less shipping (both ways, I have to return plants if I do this). They are out of this plant so he can't ship me anymore.

Please, any advise would be most appreciated. I'm at a total loss what to do. Thank you

Plant them with the existing stems pointing straight up, staked if needed and the you won't be bothered about it. I wouldn't cut anything back on dinky little starter plants, they need all their existing stored energy to grow roots and new stems on the new site.

While the parallel is inexact - different species, etc., etc. - I frequently pull up various oak seedlings (I have yet to find one this spring, so misremember if they are more than one species) which have a distinct, right-angle kink from the acorn and root to the stem growing upward. Since I pulled them, I don't know if they would have lived, nor if they would have straightened out with time, but, this was all Ma Nature's doing, not any cultural practices.

While it may not be applicable, and may not help, it does show that weird things happen..... Hope your plants make it.

Yes, I'd just point the stems upright even if it means putting the roots in at a slant. And though it may be grown as a multi-stemmed shrub, I've kept mine to one trunk and it makes a very respectable small tree. Grower's choice.

Oldroser: Think of the letter "L" upside down, with the shorter leg of the "L" on top. that is almost exactly what these look like. If I plant so the shorter portion, or top, of the "L" is vertical that will put a fair portion (if not all) the other leg of the "L", stem, underground. Would that harm the plants. Or should I just compromise and plant at a slant, in which case neither trunk will be exactly vertical. Or should I just do as dibbit suggests and just plant them just the way they are.

dibbit: Unfortunately the growth structure of these plants was not formed by nature. I am no expert, and neither was the person that pruned/propagated these poor babys.

If it were me, I *think* I'd plant them with the short side of the "L" pointing up. Since you are only talking about 2" of the trunk being horizontal, I think this would become almost unnoticeable in the long run even if they didn't straighten up on their own. If they are just the size of a pencil, you might be able to encourage them to straighten up by tying them up. It's hard to judge well without being there and seeing them. If they don't shape up for you, you could always cut them back and let them resprout in late winter/very early spring later on.

It doesn't make Forest Farm look very good to ship out stuff like this and then not pay at least return shipping. It seems they kind of want to stick you with costs even though it's not your fault. You might consider posting a review on Garden Watchdog. Forest Farm has a pretty good record so far, but if they are going to pull this kind of stuff, it wouldn't hurt to let people know about it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Garden Watchdog

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I've planted them straight in, and will hope for the best. I've given support to the only one that has a chance of being straightened.

Brandon: I've posted to Garden Watchdog before but am reluctant to post a negative on this. I've always been very pleased with Forest Farm plants in the past and once a negative is out there you can't really take it back. I'm hoping this is a one off. Time, and future orders, will tell.

Thank you everyone

Just an update:

Of the four, severly bent and tiny Heptacodiums planted last June only two survived, and they are just limping by. The two that did survive only did so because new suckers came up from the ground. Everything else in this garden has grown by leaps and bounds, yet these are both just one single 5" stem. All four were planted in the same soil, same garden about a foot apart. I have purchased other items from Forest Farm and always been very happy. I may still, on ocassion, purchase from them. But never again tubes. Really these were the worst specimens I've ever seen. Thank you everyone for all your suggestions, which I followed, on how to plant these misshapened babies.

One part of me just wants to pitch them, but the other side has a hard time throwing away something that is trying so valiantly to live. So for now I'm going to ignor them. They will live or die but they will not get any special treatment.

Alexis