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Suddenly dying shrubs

Val CacchiVal Cacchi Posts: 17
in Problem solving
I have an Ivy hedge which has been healthy and enormous for at least 17 years (when I moved here). It was full of nesting birds in spring and I trimmed it back in late May. Since about July - it has been going brown and is now dead as far as I can see.  
What is worrying me is that a pyracantha nearby equally well established and previously healthy is now also beginning to fade and droop in places.
In the garden, I notice the same is happening with a forsythia.  
Help, because I don't know why it is happening or what I can do.

Interestingly a friend of mine tells me that one of her shrubs is doing the same - slowly drooping and dropping leaves. 

Posts

  • Val CacchiVal Cacchi Posts: 17

  • Val CacchiVal Cacchi Posts: 17
    Yes, I wondered if the extremes of weather had something to do with it. Extreme drought followed by drowning.  But the Ivy in particular should have been able to cope, and the fact that a few other plants are now looking iffy has me worried. 
  • ERICS MUMERICS MUM Posts: 627
    I’ve never seen ivy die “spontaneously”, I usually have a fight when trying to rip a clump off a fence or wall before it does damage, and then the blighter grows back 🤬

    Is there any chance your shrubs could have been affected by weed killer sprayed in a nearby garden ?  On a windy day the ‘mist’ from a spray can drift across fences.
  • Val CacchiVal Cacchi Posts: 17
    I wondered if it might have been a chemical. It's unlikely as it's on a very protected patio wall.  But it must have been powerful stuff to kill ivy in the space of 3months. 
    The pyracantha next to it is dying as well by the looks of it. 😔
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited September 2023
    @ValCacchi I think it is more likely a water issue if both these plants are large and next to a wall. There will be a rain shadow next to a wall. As these plants are both large specimens getting water to the base through the foliage could also be an issue.
    If you live near a field that has been sprayed or used chemicals yourself on a windy day that is possible but unlikely. 
    I doubt if your Ivy is dead if you feel it is a mess you could cut it hard back to the wall?You will be looking at it clipped back over winter as it won't regrow until spring. That way you won't be distrubing any birds. Removing the marks made by the ariel roots of Ivy is impossible.
    If you continue to have concerns about other shrubs or trees in your garden Honey Fungus should not be ruled out. However last November was very wet then in December the ground was frozen this was preceeded by drought and  that is more likely the problem. Many old mature and more tender shrubs were affected.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Val CacchiVal Cacchi Posts: 17
    Thanks. I may just check it's not honey fungus. I hadn't thought of that.  I'm going to have to cut it back anyway as it just looks a mess.
    Thanks for all the replies 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @ValCacchi Honey Fungus isn't something that I know alot about. There are more than 100 honey coloured mushrooms which doesn't help with ID. Also the infamous 'boot laces' I have never seen. Mycelium rot at the base of a shrub might help towards an ID as pointed out by another poster earlier this week.
    If you type in Honey Fungus at the top you can look back on old posts.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Val CacchiVal Cacchi Posts: 17
    Great, thanks for your help
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