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Identification help

Nature_SerendipityNature_Serendipity Posts: 15
in Plants
Hi,

Could anyone tell me what the lumps are on the bottom of my Weigelas. I'm guessing its crown gall but it'll be the first time I've seen it.

If it is infected, can it be recovered or is it too far gone?

TIA
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Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    It's not something I've come across, but I'd guess it is a gall - I can't think what else it could be.
    The advice is to remove and destroy the plant and not replant anything there that is susceptible to gall for at least 2 years.
    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/how-to-fix-crown-gall.htm

    I suppose the choice is yours - if your weigela looks otherwise healthy you could leave it, but that may risk other nearby plants that are susceptible succumbing too

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Are those current photos ? The reason l ask is that my weigela has been in leaf and then flower for several weeks now.
    It maybe that the plant is affected already? 
  • Nature_SerendipityNature_Serendipity Posts: 15
    Thanks all and yes those are current photos, I've just done some pruning back but the top was full of leaves (this is probably just the bottom 1/4 of the plant).

    The gall itself looks pretty big and it looks like more are developing on the right hand side.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    To be honest, if it were me l'd take it out.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I've seen that before on old weigela that are no longer performing well ... I've no idea what it is, but I think whatever it is the shrub is past it's best. 

    I'd have it out, replenish the soil and plant something else there. 

    Every dead plant is a planting opportunity 👍 ;)



    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Nature_SerendipityNature_Serendipity Posts: 15
    Thank you all, I guess I will bite the bullet and dig out the poor thing to save it from its misery.

    Shame I can't plant another Weigela in its place for a few years, might replace with a Magnolia which is on the list of resistant plants.
  • Nature_SerendipityNature_Serendipity Posts: 15
    edited June 2022
    Managed to get it out with a bit of sweat and have started preparing the site. That growth was a lot larger on closer inspection.

    I want to plant a smaller Magnolia (either "Lilliflora Nigra" or "Jane") but unsure whether the site is suitable.

    3rd photo: I'm planning to remove some turf so I can move the plant out a bit further where the blue dot is. Will there be enough space for it to grow there? Also that fence is facing NW (I have a NE facing garden) so not much sun in the winter.

    Thanks again!


  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    @Nature_Serendipity, such a pity you've lost the weigela. However I don't think that spot is a good one for a magnolia. They have a spreading crown and do not much like being pruned.

    You might need to consider a small columnar tree instead. I'm sure the others will offer suggestions as to what might suit.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Natural_SerendipityCould you plant a Weigela further along the border? It is narrow, I assume the one you have removed was touching the fence. If you are looking to hide the fence, to get the height you may have to widen the border. Having been a gardener I know how much work was involved in removing it, well done.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Another hydrangea?
    I have several Hydrangea paniculata Vanille Fraise  - they're a real eye catcher.
    They're much easier to prune than the mopheads and you can keep them quite small or let them grow - they flower for ages too


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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