Genista issues

KevinM · 7 March

Hi all,

Having an issue with a Genista - it's in a raised bed and last year was transplanted in and grew and flowered fine. Now it is showing signs of dying off from the bottom upwards - grey, dead branches and leaves, and also at tips. There is still new growth and buds.

Wondering if anyone has any ideas - it has (as for everyone) been very damp so wondering if it's been water logged. The bed it's in is reasonably shallow but should drain fine.

Thinking of possibly lifting it out and potting it temporarily to try to recover it.

Thanks

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/g6/eex4fp33zunz.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/jr/10skllgbfevu.jpg

Fairygirl · 7 March

Hi @KevinM - where was it transplanted from, and what care did it have after being moved? They do need decent drainage, but they also don't like being moved, so it may simply be showing signs of that - despite performing well enough last year for you. That can often happen with shrubs in particular, and especially a large one like that.
If the bed's shallow, but if the ground below that isn't great, that may also have caused it to struggle. However, if it has new growth shoing, all is not lost, so you may just have to wait and see, and then cut back anything damaged, or not thriving, later on.

Don't focus too much on the amount of rain - they cope here year in year out with high rainfall. That isn't a problem at all, if the rest is right for them

KevinM · 7 March

Thank you - I meant planted out from the pot after purchase, not from within the garden. I should have been clearer

It didn't really have any additional care if I'm honest as it thrived initially, so just left it.

Think I'll keep an eye on it and if it gets worse maybe move it, otherwise leave it to hopefully pickup as we move into Spring.

Fairygirl · 7 March

That's fine - it's rarely a problem when moving to the ground from a pot. Moving when it's been in the ground for a long while is more difficult for them.
The only problems tend to arise if potted specimens are planted out in unsuitable conditions - ie -frozen ground, or when there's long dry spells in spring/summer and they get inadequate watering. Even plants which like drier conditions need well watered until they're settled.
If there's new viable growth showing, it should come away for you, but give it time. The only problem with the new site is that the soil level is very low in that bed, and you can't risk topping that up as you'd be burying it below it's natural soil level. That can be fatal for many plants.
Fingers crossed though

Genista issues

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