Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
#116938 Aug 23rd, 2007 at 10:39 AM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 58
Member
OP Offline
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 58
I know from the news you wouldn't know it, but where I live in Minnesota up until last week it's been TERRIBLY dry and TERRIBLY hot. My garden was not happy no matter how much I watered. As a result - I'm afraid I've lost a few established perrennials and I'm wondering if anyone know whether or not they'll come back. The two most concerning to me are astilbe and columbine. All of my astilbes dried up and tipped over one weekend. So did my purple columbine. Did they just go dormant, or are they dead? boohoo I also have an azalea that has dead leaves from two thirds of the way up, and a couple of dogwoods that have about 25% crispy leaves. Pathetic. It's so sad. Can anyone offer a ray of hope? prayers

ShadyLadyMN #117037 Aug 23rd, 2007 at 12:17 PM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,275
Number Seven
1k Posts
Offline
Number Seven
1k Posts
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,275
Your astilbes and columbines may have just gone dormant until cooler weather. I often have to cut mine back to the ground from lack of rain, but they usually either regrow in fall or the next spring. The azalea, however, may not regrow new leaves...they are extremely sensitive to drought because their roots are shallow. I think your Japanese Maple will recover as well. Columbines are very easy to start from seed, so if you have any seeds, you can start them now and by fall they'll be ready to plant. That way even if you lost some from the heat you can replace them. I have lost several of the perennials that I planted this spring because of the drought. So I've been trying to replace them with more drought tolerant plants, like agastache and sedum. There are quite a few different sedums with different heights, flower color and leaf color, and they don't require a lot of water. It can be hard to find shade plants that are drought tolerant, though.


[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
alankhart #117144 Aug 23rd, 2007 at 02:39 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 108
Member
Offline
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 108
Most of my columbines were in pots (from moving a lot) and by the end of the summer they were always crispy-but they always come back!
I wouldn't give up on anything 'till next spring (you may be pleasently surprised).

Emerald #123850 Sep 5th, 2007 at 05:43 AM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 21,848
Hot Rod
20k Posts
Offline
Hot Rod
20k Posts
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 21,848
flwr

Correct ...
Columbines die down to crisps in the end of summer.
But hang in there come spring.The will return.

b


[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
PS... My horse isn't here, this is my Nitemare..
dodge #125389 Sep 7th, 2007 at 08:21 AM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,248
Twinkle
3k Posts
Offline
Twinkle
3k Posts
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,248
i have the same problem, just different plants! boohoo i did cut alot of stuff back the other day, my question is the giant snowball bush that came with the house, it is probably 8x6 feet, half of it is dirt brown....is it too big to cut back, what do i do with it????


[Linked Image from agardenersforum.com]

OUR HOME NEEDS OUR GNOME!
faerywatcher #125431 Sep 7th, 2007 at 09:08 AM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 21,848
Hot Rod
20k Posts
Offline
Hot Rod
20k Posts
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 21,848
blush
I cut mine back yearly........
Blooms in the spring and lots of new growth..



[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
PS... My horse isn't here, this is my Nitemare..
dodge #125780 Sep 7th, 2007 at 07:31 PM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,248
Twinkle
3k Posts
Offline
Twinkle
3k Posts
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,248
how far do i cut it back since it is sooooo huge???????


[Linked Image from agardenersforum.com]

OUR HOME NEEDS OUR GNOME!
faerywatcher #125896 Sep 7th, 2007 at 08:35 PM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 21,848
Hot Rod
20k Posts
Offline
Hot Rod
20k Posts
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 21,848
nervous

I have mine cut back to about 5 foot tall.....I dont let it go higher.
Right now has 2 blooms.

I does grow back quick ......So I'd say cut about a foot all way around and top.. If you arent discouraged cut more.

You won't kill it/


[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
PS... My horse isn't here, this is my Nitemare..

Link Copied to Clipboard
Seasonal Ticker
Gardening Links
Gardening in February
Gardening in March
Gardening in April


Shop at Amazon and Support AGF
Are you shopping online? Click this link first and A Gardeners Forum will receive a commission for your referral at Amazon.com (shopping through this link to Amazon will not have any impact on your prices at Amazon).
Like Us on Facebook
Forum Statistics
Forums65
Topics14,312
Posts240,810
Average Daily Posts3
Members16,004
Most Online10,356
Nov 2nd, 2019
Top Posters(30 Days)
Random Gallery Image
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5