Desperately need help with viburnum

deanna in ME Barely zone 6a, more like 5b

3 years ago

This shrub is doing SOOOO badly. I bought it in spring 2018 as a very small sapling. I'm not sure why it's doing so badly, but at least half of my saplings don't survive. Now I believe I did not water them well enough the first year, as I assumed they were more like perennials which might just require water during establishment as opposed to the whole first year. About 10' from this bush is the same species, but it was naturally planted at some time. it is FABULOUS. Given their close spacing, I'm out of idea on how to fix my existing barely-alive one. Should I dig it up and garage-overwinter it in a pot? Cut it back hard next year? It has barely any leaves, so I'm concerned it isn't even photo-synthesizing enough to survive winter outside. (Technically zone 6a, but practially next-door-neighbors with zone 5b. Coastal environment with lots of fall moisture.) I've got several pictures of the sick one and a picture of the healthy one at the end.

the healthy one:

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deanna in ME Barely zone 6a, more like 5b
Original Author

3 years ago

Lovemycorgi , may it mock you for years-- you finally found the right spot! So funny!

I took action today. I dug it up, vigorously bare-rooted it, and planted it in a wide pot. The root system was much more developed than I had expected--a pleasant surprise. At that time I noticed a fresh green sprig growing from the base. It liveth!

I am not ready to give up and brandish the shovel. I have to let it suffer for a bit longer.

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Comments (7)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years ago
id probably dig it out.. clear at least a 2 or 3 foot circle of all weeds and grass...

bare root the plant.. beat it on a tree.. and replant it ... and pray ...

i really dont see how torturing it in the garage for winter has any upside... based on its brother plant.. its not some foo foo zone pushing plant...

take pix.. if you find anything interesting underground..

ken

ps: beating it on the tree is to stress it.. to release recovery or survival hormones.. i kid you not.. and it usually makes you feel better.. to pay it back for all the aggravation its caused you..
deanna in ME Barely zone 6a, more like 5b thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
Sigrid
3 years ago
Look up Viburnum leaf beetle.
deanna in ME Barely zone 6a, more like 5b thanked Sigrid
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porkchop_z5b_MI
3 years ago
Sometimes you just need to know when to throw in the towel -- I think this is one of those times. Scrap it.
deanna in ME Barely zone 6a, more like 5b thanked porkchop_z5b_MI
cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
3 years ago
If I wanted to save this plant I would clear out all the grass and weeds in a good diameter around the base- at least 3-4 feet and 6 is better.

I would then topdress it with compost and mulch it deeply.

Then I would ensure that it gets deep, penetrating water.

Very late next winter I would probably prune it back fairly hard.
deanna in ME Barely zone 6a, more like 5b thanked cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
deanna in ME Barely zone 6a, more like 5b
Original Author
3 years ago
I appreciate all the comments. mxk3, I will shovel prune next year if it doesn't recover...or die. For now I'm really curious as to what is going on.

Ken, my garage is a serene haven of plant rest and meditation from Nov-May. Torture? Never!
lovemycorgi z5b SE michigan
3 years ago
Agree, it could be viburnum beetle. Mine had Viburnum leaf beetle again this year, badly (they’re easy to see on the leaves - or what’s left of them). I didn’t want to hand pick or treat with chemicals, so I shovel pruned it at the end of June and threw it down a wooded ravine on my property. It is still alive on that hill, mocking me with lush new growth. I’m going to see if my neighbor wants it.
deanna in ME Barely zone 6a, more like 5b thanked lovemycorgi z5b SE michigan