It can be very worrying when you first have that thought flash through your head - "is my shrub dying?". You can spend a lot of time and effort planting, feeding, watering and mulching, so when you see shrubs turning brown, it's only natural to worry about what to do next.
So that's what we're going to help you with now. In this blog we are going to answer the question - why are my shrubs turning brown and dying? We'll take a look at some of the different causes so you will be able to make a proper diagnosis, and then we'll tell you what to do next, so you take take a proactive approach to reviving your shrubs. Let's turn brown, wilting shrubs into thriving garden centrepieces!
What are the signs that a shrub is dying?
There are a few key indicators that can tell you that a shrub is dying or in trouble:
Discolouration
The most obvious sign that a shrub is struggling is that it changes colour. The vibrant green buds and leaves have faded away. Your shrub turns brown - as if you can see the life being drained away. The leaves may go from green to yellow, which could be another sign of trouble.
Dead branches
If your branches start to droop, and there is no new growth there, it is probably a sign that you have some dead branches. This doesn't necessarily mean that the whole shrub is dead, but it could be a sign that all is not well.
The leaves look like they've been eaten
If you start to see small holes in your leaves, it could mean that your shrub has become one of the hottest new restaurants in bug town. Most insects will eat in a certain pattern, so you should be able to identify the culprits based on this. For example, caterpillars eat all over the leaves, so you'll see big, irregular holes all over. Beetles, however, tend focus on the middle of the leaf. Note the pattern and a quick Google should help you find out what you are dealing with.
Bark issues
If you see that the bark on your shrub looks like it has been stripped, or that there are holes in there, you may have a problem with insects that you need to address.
Root system issues
If you are able to, it's sometimes a good idea to check on the root system - you may be able to signs of damage there which can point to the issue. Do you have root rot? This is caused by overwatering.
How to revive a dying shrub
If you see one of the above characteristics take hold of your shrub - don't panic. There may be something you can do to save it. While every issue will differ slightly, there are measures you can take to help identify the problem, and then help to fix it.
Quick tip: to help find out whether your shrub can be revived do this quick scratch test - scrape away a piece of the bark (use a small knife), and see what it looks like underneath. If it is still green and moist under there, your shrub is still alive and you may be able to save it. If it is dry and brown, I'm afraid your shrub is dead and you should dig it up. (It's time to look for a replacement, like a popular evergreen shrub, or an azalea shrub)
If your shrub is salvageable, here are some actions you can take:
If you have just had a heat wave...
A brown shrub could be the reaction to not getting enough water in extreme heat or drastic weather. This is quite an easy fix - it will just require a good watering, and in a few days you should start to see those brown leaves turn green again.
If you have just had a very cold winter
Some shrubs fail after a very cold winter, as they struggle to retain moisture, losing too much water in those harsh conditions. The best way to combat this is by spraying them with an anti desiccant spray - this prevents excess winter drying. Give it a good watering as well.
If you have branches that look dead
Don't make your shrub waste energy by sending nutrients to these branches - trim them off and help your plant build up some strength.
Signs of insects or disease
This is a more serious issue, and unfortunately there is not a one-fits-all solution. There are so many different possible causes, each with a different potential solution. It may be that you require specialist plant health care services - which could be costly. It may be more cost effective to cut your losses, and avoid the risk of the disease or insects spreading throughout your garden, by digging out your shrub and finding a replacement (like the cordyline festival raspberry or the butterfly buddleia shrub).
Dying shrubs conclusion
There are plenty of potential issues when it comes to shrubs turning brown and other symptoms - and not all of them have to fatal. We have listed many steps above that you can take to try to revive your plants.
No shrubs live forever, though. And in some cases, you may be just better off digging it out to protect your other plants, and maintain good plant health care elsewhere in your garden. If you decide you need to freshen up your beds, shop our extensive range of shrubs today - we're sure you'll find the perfect addition to your garden. And don't forget to consult our blog on when to plant shrubs, to get your new shrub off to the best possible start.
