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Choisya ternata - any hope in saving it?

picnic_chairpicnic_chair Posts: 5
in Problem solving

This shrub (I think a choisya ternata) used to flower wonderfully but this year after the cold spell we had (in April?) it looked a little yellowish but then did flower in the spring. I pruned it somewhat after flowering late May but it wasn't looking great then, and now it is looking even worse. There are some yellow leaves and also the leaves are now really drooping as can be seen in the photos. During the strong winds i did notice that it is now learning forward a little where it didn't used to, so could it be that the roots have been damaged?

I have given it a good water each day for a week or so to see if that helps, but so far it hasn't changed the look and if anything it could be looking a little worse. The soil is quite clay and heavy so I wouldn't have thought it needed too much water and don't want to overwater it. I haven't fed it as I read that might not be a great idea if it's stressed. It's done great for each of the previous five years I've been at my house.

Not sure what to do - is there any hope of saving it?

Thanks a lot for reading.

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    I think the area where it is planted is a bit too small for one of that size.  The good news is these respond extremely well to hard pruning, so I would suggest cutting it back hard, either to about 6 inches above where the main 'trunk' forks, or even to 6 above the ground.  If it is healthy, it will come back and you can keep it trimmed to about 3ft high, it should be OK if kept well watered.  If it has a root disease, then it won't come back and would have died anyway.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • picnic_chairpicnic_chair Posts: 5
    Thanks bob, I think I'll give that a try. It's a pity to chop it so short though as it's been a great privacy screen by the fence as it used to grow 50cm or so just above the fence.
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