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Half a viburnum not flourishing

MolamolaMolamola Posts: 105
in Problem solving
I would like advice about my viburnum please. 

We planted this mature bush last December and it seems to have settled in well - one part of it at least. As you can see, on side (all connected to the same branch) is rather bare - the flowers did not open and the leaves are also slow to emerge. I scratched under the bark and it looks healthy and green. Is it just a question of one side getting less light? Could it be a disease and if so, should I wait and see before removing the branch?

 
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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    What variety is it @Molamola? It's certainly a bit odd.
    I wonder if it's been a bit short of water where it is, and the root's therefore struggling to support the whole shrub. It's a big specimen, which is always a bit more difficult to establish. It's often very dry at the foot of walls too, so it could be a bit dry in the site it's in.  If that's the case, a good watering and some mulching is often enough to make them happy. 
    What's it like at the base?
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • MolamolaMolamola Posts: 105
    Thanks @Fairygirl

    It's an Anne Russell.  Good point on water - we've planted it some distance away from the wall but I'll be prodding the soil to be sure.  And topping up the mulch.  I figured though that lack of water should affect the whole bush rather than just one side.

    I'll try and post another photo of the base
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    I've got one like that, one large dead stem and several healthy ones. I think the dead one should come off asap. But mine has been like that for over a year and still not done


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • MolamolaMolamola Posts: 105
    @nutcutlet Thank you - what do you mean by still not done? Do you mean it failed to recover, or it seemed to spread to other branches? 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If @nutcutlet has had a similar experience, it might be that the weaker bit will just gradually fade and not be able to sustain itself. It does look like two totally separate shrubs in that pic. 
    I don't know if it would help to take that bit off, but since the other part is fine just now, it might be better to wait and see. It's not been in long too, so it's worth giving it a bit of time. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Molamola I wondered if you have two plants in one pot it may or may not be obvious at soil level. I have seen this done with plants that are supposed to be multi stemmed but in fact it is more than one plant
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    Molamola said:
    @nutcutlet Thank you - what do you mean by still not done? Do you mean it failed to recover, or it seemed to spread to other branches? 
    the dead bit is still there due to my lackadaisical gardening style but the rest is thriving. I think mine is V. burkwoodii


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • MolamolaMolamola Posts: 105
    Here is a photo of the base which shows the bottom is fused. The problematic branch is one of those forking out on the left, whereas others on that same limb are fine.  I guess I shall keep it watered and observe. 

    The shrub was dragged around a bit when we planted it (it was so heavy) so that might have damaged the roots on one side.

    You'll also see the burlap and wire basket poking out of the soil - I was told to leave that to protect the roots. 



  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I wonder if there has been some damage at the base? Is there a split?
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    GardenerSuze said:
    I wonder if there has been some damage at the base? Is there a split?
    it looks like that to me, right at the base


    In the sticks near Peterborough
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