Shrub I.D..it's dying on me....

ClareT

Hello, We have this huge shrub..about 4 foot high/wide and it was sitting on a bank on top of an old bomb shelter we knocked down. we dug out the shrub and have transplanted it into the corner near the front of the house instead..but it's grown a few leaves then they've dried up and it looks like it's dying...
From before we dug it up all i know is that for half the year it looks like brown twigs and then green leaves appear as do the most amazing yellow leaves (i wouldn't really call them flowers really..but leaf shape flowery things..) that when they flower for about 2 weeks high summer smells of very very strong intoxicating honey sweetness..enough for neighbours all to notice and love it... but it's not done it this year yet and I need to know what it is to look it up to care for it....
How do i upload pics?...

TIA
Clare

ClareT

Sorry I've tried putting the photos on here but can't..so they are on photobucket..

http://s95.photobucket.com/albums/l146/tombleson/Plant/

sassyblue

Hiya, you need to create an account at 'imageshack' you can upload your pics there and it will give you a link to put in your post, as the link you provide is where the pic is stored on your own computer.

ETA: I see you've done it now. I'm wondering if that's a camelia??

Kay_Peel

I can't make out the shrub's identity, but I don't think it's dead. Here's what you do:

Take off all the obvious dead twigs and branches. They are not doing any good anymore.

Gently bend the branches that you think may have some life in them. If they snap, then remove them.

If the branch is quite flexible, then scratch the bark with your fingernail. If you're lucky, you'll see that the branch is green with a creamy middle - that means it alive. If it's brown and woody then it's dead and you can remove that one too.

You should be left with some viable branches - cut them back by a third.

Now for some TLC. Remove any weeds or flowers that are growing near the base of the shrub. Then give it a bucket of water. Put something on top of the area that you've just watered - compost or an inch layer of soil will be perfect.

Your shrub now has plenty of light, air, water and nothing around it to rob it of nourishment. It has every chance of putting up some new shoots and leaves now. I think it will be fine!

ClareT

Hello, thanks both...the branches are green and creamy when i snap them..my worry is maybe it's in the wrong type of soil... It doesn't really look like any pics of camellia's i've looked up...the leaves aren't that oval and glossy... and it doesn't have a flowery shaped flower that appears on it, but what if it's a plant that needs ericaceous soil??
Does the strong honey sweet pineappley smell sound familiar to anyone???

Clare

ixwood

Agree with the above. When you dig things up, especially in summer, it's best to cut it back before replanting. It's lost a lot of root when dug up, so that balances it out again until it regrows more roots.

dollparts

Kay_Peel wrote: »

I can't make out the shrub's identity, but I don't think it's dead. Here's what you do:

Take off all the obvious dead twigs and branches. They are not doing any good anymore.

Gently bend the branches that you think may have some life in them. If they snap, then remove them.

If the branch is quite flexible, then scratch the bark with your fingernail. If you're lucky, you'll see that the branch is green with a creamy middle - that means it alive. If it's brown and woody then it's dead and you can remove that one too.

You should be left with some viable branches - cut them back by a third.

Now for some TLC. Remove any weeds or flowers that are growing near the base of the shrub. Then give it a bucket of water. Put something on top of the area that you've just watered - compost or an inch layer of soil will be perfect.

Your shrub now has plenty of light, air, water and nothing around it to rob it of nourishment. It has every chance of putting up some new shoots and leaves now. I think it will be fine!

Kay Peel you are the best! Your advice is always thorough and spot on.

How I wished you were my neighbour:D

ClareT

Many thanks..will do as advised:T...was dug up late spring last year and replanted and it flowered well last summer but obviously just had life in it from then.... but not enough to cope this year...there is a lot of ivy and weedy strange stuff around it's base..so will clear it and give it some TLC
thanks again... maybe when it grows I'll post another pic to get some definite ID on it...

giddyknits

hiya

if your shrub gets flowers firstly and then leaves, its a forsythia.

you've got brill advice otherwise on what to do - good luck!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

ClareT

Hello, nope not forsythia either.... we have those in the back garden and it's not the same.... thanks for trying...

Savannah02K

Looks to me like it might be pineapple broom, that's used a lot in gardens for visually challenged as the scent is amazing but it does only last for a couple of weeks. If you just google that you'll get loads of pictures and care advice.