Just performed major shrub surgery

4 years ago

One of the shrubs I ordered for landscaping my new house this spring was a Viburnum plicatum tomentosum 'Lanarth' from Classic Viburnums. Gary Ladham at CV was great to deal with and he warned me that the 'Lanarth' was probably root bound (it was indeed and badly so) and had been in a dark, slightly heated greenhouse all winter. The leaves were yellow when it arrived and despite my fertilizing it with organic fertilizers, the leaves simply refused to green up. It had been in the ground some 6 weeks when I spoke with him over the weekend and he suggested this major surgery: Dig it up, remove all potting soil, spread the roots out and, making a slurry of the native clayey soil, work it into the root system as I plant it.

So, the surgery was done this morning--the oddest job I've done in some 60 years of gardening--and I'll report on how the patient fares.

Gary did say he was setting aside another 'Lanarth' for fall delivery in case it doesn't make it.

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Comments (6)

NHBabs z4b-5a NH
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I have heard nothing but positive comments about this producer. His expertise and helpfulness to gardeners seems quite consistent.
laceyvail 6A, WV
Original Author
4 years ago
Oh, absolutely, Babs and I have the highest regard for him in all the dealings I had with him--the 'Lanarth' is only one of several viburnums I got from him this spring for this new house and all others are doing well. And he was so knowledgeable and helpful during the ordering process, during which we discussed the various viburnums in some detail.

I'm very interested to see what happens with the shrub.
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mazerolm_3a
4 years ago
Hope your shrub makes it, but good to know you have a backup! :)

I’m very new to viburnums: I planted v. dendatum Chicago Lustre last year and v. lentago this Spring. They are tiny plants and I’m really looking forward to watch them grow!
laceyvail 6A, WV
Original Author
4 years ago
You will need a pollinator for your Chicago Lustre in order to get berries. I don't think the lentago will serve, but I'm not positive about that. Pretty sure any dentatum would work.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
4 years ago
Dig it up, remove all potting soil, spread the roots out and, making a slurry of the native clayey soil, work it into the root system as I plant it.

==>> whats the point of the clay slurry ...

and if our soil is clay.. why didnt you bare root it in the first place ...

im thinking you might learn a greater lesson here.. rather than just about this plant in particular

im impressed by a seller.. who is willing to send you another.. if this one fails .. i find reasons to spend with him.. and keep him in business ...

ken
laceyvail 6A, WV
Original Author
4 years ago
Ken, every other plant I put in this spring--perhaps 30-trees, shrubs, perennials, was not bare rooted, though I did rough up the root balls pretty well in some cases. And all are doing well. Why on earth would I imagine that I should bare root that shrub before planting?

In any case, it's not looking great at this point, so we'll have to see. And yes, Gary Ladham of Classic Viburnums is a great source of information as well as having great plants.