Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

What’s going on with this bush? And help with lavender plant?

hannahkatyhannahkaty Posts: 4
in Problem solving

Firstly, not totally sure what the bush is, but as you can see it is flowering however a lot of the leaves seem to be turning brown as well, not sure it’s just a seasonal thing as it has been like this for most of the summer. It’s in a raised bed and I’m watering it regularly. Should I be worried if so is there anything I can do to prevent the browning of the leaves? 



Also, can I do anything to help this lavender plant? I feel like she needs a serious prune?

Posts

  • PianoplayerPianoplayer Posts: 624
    Hi
    I think the bush is a Viburnum, but hopefully the experts on here can confirm and tell you what's wrong!

    Re the lavender - it does look straggly, but the problem is you can't cut it back into the brown woody bits as it won't grow back. You could trim it back to a green joint on the stem, and try and root the cuttings as a safety measure.
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    edited September 2020
    Your Viburnum Tinus is a large specimen, originally planted too close to the boundary fence, and now incased into a raised bed. This will not help as the soil will be drying out quickly. As the shrub matures, it creates a canopy where water from rain water cannot penetrate into.

    I know you mentioned watering regularly, but I doubt it is enough. It's struggling, and you can see this by seeing mottling/brown leaves. Those are signs of earlier aphid attacks. They are tough shrubs, but will need space and more water. 

    When you are watering, only water in the late evenings or early mornings, direct right into the base. You will need 2-3 bucketfuls poured slowly every 3-5 days in the summer months.
  • hannahkatyhannahkaty Posts: 4
    Borderline said:
    Your Viburnum Tinus is a large specimen, originally planted too close to the boundary fence, and now incased into a raised bed. This will not help as the soil will be drying out quickly. As the shrub matures, it creates a canopy where water from rain water cannot penetrate into.

    I know you mentioned watering regularly, but I doubt it is enough. It's struggling, and you can see this by seeing mottling/brown leaves. Those are signs of earlier aphid attacks. They are tough shrubs, but will need space and more water. 

    When you are watering, only water in the late evenings or early mornings, direct right into the base. You will need 2-3 bucketfuls poured slowly every 3-5 days in the summer months.
    Thank you, I thought this might be the case. Was planted before I arrived - will mention it to my landlords as I don’t want them to think I’ve not been taking care of it. 

    Re watering that’s exactly when I have been watering 😊 but I will make sure I do it for longer so it gets more!

    Other than moving it (which I’m not sure I could do myself anyway) would it benefit from mixing in some newer compost into the existing soil?


  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    You can always add more compost around the base, but I suspect, which such a large specimen, it may take a long time to improve. The issue is, it's too close to a boundary fence so will always be dry or drying up easily.

    Continue with the watering and prune some of the branches back next year to help some of the branches throw out new growth and leaves.
Sign In or Register to comment.