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jessica_adams333

Landscaping question....need help!

10 years ago

Hello! I have bought a house in Mobile, Al. I am new to the area and unsure of what these shrubs are (see pics). I am hoping someone can identify them for me. When I got the house I assumed these bushed were dead, but then they started blooming very beautiful flowers. So now I am wondering if there is any way to SAVE them. It would be SO great to be able to bring them back to life instead of having to replace them. Should I cut them way down and see if they'll grow back or do you think I am better off to just pull them out and replace them? I have patience and would love to nurture them back if it's possible. Also, there are some shrubs without flowers, please take a look and see if you know what they are and if I could save them too. Please give me your opinion. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Comments (5)

  • 10 years ago

    Azaleas probably.

    J Adams thanked User
  • 10 years ago

    The flowering shrubs are all azaleas, assorted varieties. They are in a very distressed condition, but I would have no way of telling you why nor what you should do. It will be your job to do a bit of research about the needs of azaleas and try to determine what the problem might be in that location.

    They are covered with a fuzzy growth of lichen which is in my experience a clear indication that they have been in decline/trouble for some time. The lichen itself causes no problems for a plant, but thrives when a tree or shrub begins losing leaves and thinning out.

    The other shrub is either a dwarf Yaupon holly or a Helleri holly. Pretty homely, aren't they? They could simply be past their prime.

    Unfortunately, NO ONE can diagnose such general issues without visiting the site in person. An experienced diagnostician would be able to figure it out quickly but it takes a personal look.

    I can tell you that you with certainty, however, that azaleas and those holly varieties do respond well to proper rejuvenation pruning if they are reasonably healthy at the roots and aren't too old.

    Rejuvenation pruning requires chopping the plants all of the way to the ground, leaving less than 6" stumps. This should be done in early spring or late winter before the spring flush.

    The azaleas grow back pretty quickly, but the hollies are very slow. I usually suggest removal and replacement.

    Please note that unless you resolve what caused the issue with the azaleas in the first place, rejuvenation won't fix it.

    When were these pictures taken?


    J Adams thanked rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
  • 10 years ago

    Thank you so much for all of your input! You have given me a place to start and I appreciate that! The pictures were taken about 4 weeks ago. The house sat empty for years before my purchase so some of the landscaping has been neglected for a long time. I will research the Azaleas. Thanks again!

  • 10 years ago

    In the 1st & third pictures, you have ligustrum in the back and boxwoods in the front. I like ligustrums ok. They have very fragrant white blooms.

    I don't like boxwoods, so am probably not the best person to ask about what to do about them. They stink to me. Yours look like they have been there a while and you have some dead areas. They are shallow rooted and easy to pull up. You can try reshaping them. I did that for a few years, but then gave up and yanked the 3 I had. Once they get old and parts start dying, they are hard to shape back into an attractive plant.

  • 10 years ago

    I would take cuttings (in a plastic bag) to your county extension agent

    an ask for advice. They like people asking for their expert opinion.

    they have loads of info on what will grow in mobile.

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