The web address of the Gardening board has now been changed from https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/greenfingered-moneysaving to https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/gardening so that it is in line with the board's current name. Don't worry though, the old address will still redirect you here, but it's worth updating it in your saved links or browser favourites.
We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

Moved a ceanothus bush, how do I rescue it?

silvercar
silvercar Posts: 48,651 Ambassador
Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Academoney Grad Name Dropper
Last month I decided to move a ceanothus bush that was fighting for light. 
I know it was not the right season and I was too impulsive.
Since the move I have watered it everyday, but it looks to be dying. The leaves have shriveled up and the blue flowers dried up and are falling off.
Any tips on rescuing it?
I'm a Forum Ambassador on the housing, mortgages, student & coronavirus Boards, money saving boards. I volunteer to help get your forum questions answered and keep the forum running smoothly. Forum Ambassadors are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an illegal or inappropriate post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com (it's not part of my role to deal with this). Any views are mine and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.com.
«13

Comments

  • calleyw
    calleyw Posts: 9,878 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    edited 13 June 2020 at 9:19PM
    Stop watering it.  They are drought loving plants.  And don't really need much care.  I get watering it a few days after re planting but you are killing it with over watering.
    Yours
    Calley x
    Hope for everything and expect nothing!!!

    Good enough is almost always good enough -Prof Barry Schwartz

    If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try -Seth Godin
  • Also, if you took less than the full rootball those roots will be under stress and until they can establish the plant will suffer, if it doesn't establish you'll watch the plant die.

    When taking less than the full rootball it's preferable to cut the plant back so the stress impact is reduced, the leaves and flowers shrivelling is already telling you the plant's in trouble.

    I saw a plant that had been moved and not only was less than the rootball taken it had been forked out of the ground (as opposed to spade) and a lot of the roots were bare, the plant didn't get cut back and the thing didn't stand a chance, and was completely dead in a month.
  • roddydogs
    roddydogs Posts: 7,479 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Never had any luck moving an established shrub, they've always died, yes I know all about root ball etc.
  • silvercar
    silvercar Posts: 48,651 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Academoney Grad Name Dropper
    edited 14 June 2020 at 7:58AM
    Thanks for all the advice.
    As it was levered out of the ground a root did snap, so I probably have damaged it.
    I will cut it back. Any idea how drastically I should cut?
    Should I add some new soil? We are in a high clay area.
    I'm a Forum Ambassador on the housing, mortgages, student & coronavirus Boards, money saving boards. I volunteer to help get your forum questions answered and keep the forum running smoothly. Forum Ambassadors are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an illegal or inappropriate post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com (it's not part of my role to deal with this). Any views are mine and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.com.
  • Farway
    Farway Posts: 14,166 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Homepage Hero Name Dropper
    silvercar said:
    Thanks for all the advice.
    As it was levered out of the ground a root did snap, so I probably have damaged it.
    I will cut it back. Any idea how drastically I should cut?
    Should I add some new soil? We are in a high clay area.
    Double jeopardy there, they hate being cut back and often die from spite once cut back
    I successfully killed mine by some hard pruning, afterwards I learnt to Google

    Eight out of ten owners who expressed a preference said their cats preferred other peoples gardens
  • twopenny
    twopenny Posts: 6,817 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    If it's heavy clay add some sharp cheap compost/sand/small gravel/bonemeal for it's roots. Rather than dig up again put it on top and fork into the surface with a hand fork. Nature will do the rest.
    This will give it a free draining environment and a bit of support until it gets used to the shock.
    The root that snapped is likely to be a stablising root rather than the smaller and finer feeder roots you wouldn't hear so shouldn't be a problem.

    I can rise and shine - just not at the same time!

    viral kindness .....kindness is contageous pass it on

    The only normal people you know are the ones you don’t know very well


  • silvercar
    silvercar Posts: 48,651 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Academoney Grad Name Dropper

    Dead, dormant or alive?
    I'm a Forum Ambassador on the housing, mortgages, student & coronavirus Boards, money saving boards. I volunteer to help get your forum questions answered and keep the forum running smoothly. Forum Ambassadors are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an illegal or inappropriate post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com (it's not part of my role to deal with this). Any views are mine and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.com.
  • Davesnave
    Davesnave Posts: 34,741 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    99% of my money is on 'dead.' It's the wrong time of year to move things and ceanothus are miffy at the best of times.
  • -taff
    -taff Posts: 15,062 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Looks dead but if you don't need the space urgently, leave it till the spring to check. Weirder things have happened.
    Non me fac calcitrare tuum culi
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 240.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.6K Life & Family
  • 254K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.