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California lilac strangled by ivy

roisinluw3QEc3roisinluw3QEc3 Posts: 6
in Problem solving
I love my California lilac, every may since I planted it 10 years ago it was in full flower. I did not recognize that it was so strangled by ivy and now it seems all dried up. Is there any chance of saving it? Any help super welcome.
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Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    They aren't particularly long lived and they aren't 100% bone hardy, so it may have just come to the end of its lifetime. There are a few deciduous ones but even so, if there's no sign of any green growth it might be time to replace it (and grub out the ivy at the same time if you aren't wanting to keep it). A picture might help people to diagnose a more specific problem.
    Sorry to be the bearer of bad news :(, and welcome to the forum :).
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • roisinluw3QEc3roisinluw3QEc3 Posts: 6

  • roisinluw3QEc3roisinluw3QEc3 Posts: 6
    Thanks Jenny, if the branches still have life and I cut the ivy all back?
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I don't know. The evergreen ones don't respond well to hard pruning, but apparently it's possible with the deciduous ones.  Have a look here https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/ceanothus/growing-guide - scroll down to Renovation Pruning.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • roisinluw3QEc3roisinluw3QEc3 Posts: 6
    Is it possible to still prune it now to cut off all dry ends or do I need for next spring and hope for the best after removing the ivy?
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    The Ivy is unlikely to be the cause of the problems.
    I think the Ceanothus has just reached the end of its life.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I’m afraid I agree with @punkdoc … the ceanothus has reached the end of its life, with or without the ivy. 

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





  • roisinluw3QEc3roisinluw3QEc3 Posts: 6
     :'( 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    It’s sad … but ……… it’s a new planting opportunity… and what gardener doesn’t love a new planting opportunity? 😉 

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





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I agree - it's done.
    Plant something new - but take the ivy out first  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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