.Last December I wrote about my Euonymus (Fortunei ‘Moonshadow’ and ‘Emerald Surprise’) .
Another problem has come up with ‘Moonshadow’. Parts of it are dying off. As I cut off the dead branches, I couldn’t find much evidence of scale. I found a little fungus on some of the branches.
It’s a bit of a puzzle. The lifespan of Euonymus is said to be 5 to 20 years. The ‘Moonshadow’ in my garden was planted in 2000. It could be the end of its lifespan, I guess.
With the very wet spring and beginning of summer, I have to suspect fungal infection. The shrubs are very dense from trimming all those years. I’ll open them up a bit by taking some of the larger branches out. I’m trying to pick up all leaf debris around the plant.
Also the ‘Emerald Surprise’ has scale for the first time this year.
It’s a bit of a puzzle. The lifespan of Euonymus is said to be 5 to 20 years. The ‘Moonshadow’ in my garden was planted in 2000. It could be the end of its lifespan, I guess.
With the very wet spring and beginning of summer, I have to suspect fungal infection. The shrubs are very dense from trimming all those years. I’ll open them up a bit by taking some of the larger branches out. I’m trying to pick up all leaf debris around the plant.
Also the ‘Emerald Surprise’ has scale for the first time this year.
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I’ll continue to spray both shrubs and see what happens.
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(Euonymus Diseases & Insect Pests from Clemson University Cooperative Extension.)
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6 comments:
I hate seeing the scale... it is so sad because it means that the bush is not long for this world. I usually try to trim it pretty aggressively and pick up all the the leaves and branches that are infected so that it can get some air. It just makes me feel better because I have "done something."
KSR,
I've resuscitated these shrubs several times but I'm beginning to think they are more trouble than they are worth. I may shop around for a less labor intensive shrub. Any suggestions :-)?
I don't know 'Moonshadow' but it looks pretty, or should I say it WAS pretty. Sorry that they're dying off. Sounds like your quite fond of them.
Donna,
I like the showy leaf color of Euonymus and the fact that it's evergreen. I'm almost ready to face the fact that they may have to be replaced - almost.
I just got back from the garden center..they told me, there is currently nothing on the market in Canada, that will work for this fugus..it is also spread easily from one shrub to the next(via, clippers, hands, clothes) ..but only Euonymus..??.usually the only cure is to remove the plants, and do not replace with another euonymus for at least 2 seasons :( ...guess I will be digging them all out :(
Oh, that's a shame. I haven't dug out all of mine as yet. But, from what you say, they are all doomed. Thanks for the info.
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