unknown shrub and how to save it

[wooden shoe]

My father grows this shrub. It is in a poor state now. The rootbase is rotten at at least 2 cm below groundlevel. The plant has grown too tall and cannot stand straight without help. It has cracks in all stems.
What is it? I'm afraid the photos are not too good, it was raining at the time, but maybe someone can identify it.

And the second question is how to save it. It has seeds, so that is the obvious way, but as I don't even know the family I don't know the sowing regime.
The rootbase is too bad, so cutting it low will probably not save it. Can I take cuttings? How do I treat those?
Thank you,
Rob

[majallison]

Hebe odora? Hebe brachysiphon? Most hebes are very easy from softwood cuttings, probably the best way to replace your dying plant

[wooden shoe]

Thank you. Now I know the family name I have a clue how to save it. I think it is Hebe odora.  There does even exist a Hebe society. http://www.hebesoc.org/ I will try to find more info there. And I will try the soft cuttings.
Thanks,
Rob

[Alan_b]

I don't have green fingers when it comes to cuttings but in the past I have rooted Hebes just by chopping bits off and sticking them in the ground.

[Maggi Young]

There does even exist a Hebe society. http://www.hebesoc.org/

A reminder to everyone that you can find many useful links to such places on the SRGC LINKS PAGES

[Lesley Cox]

Cuttings would be your best bet I think. Most hebes if  not pruned or trimmed, will grow from the tips, gradually leaving bare and quite ugly branching. To keep them bushy, prune yearly but keep a few cuttings going too as a backup. Most are easy enough to root in damp sand, in summer/autumn.