skip to main content

Dieback or late bloomer ?

15 years ago

I bought a 4' Royal Purple Smokebush last fall, and I don't see any new buds on it. The top foot of all the branches is darker, like black, than the lower part of the branches. Is that normal ? When do leaf buds appear ? Is it too early, or is it dead ? I'm very new at gardening ... is dieback possible ? ... sorry to sound ignorant, but if it might be that, what does dieback look like ? I bought this because of the height/spread it is supposed to reach, and I thought it was pretty hardy for the exposed area I planted it in. Another mistake of mine ?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

alexis717_df
15 years ago
Sakura, just give it a little time. Mine has been in the ground almost 3 years and it still has winter dieback. I'm hopeful as mine matures this will happen less often. The darker part is probably dead. Take your fingernail and gently scrap the branches, if it's green, it's alive. If not it's dead and needs to be pruned. I cut mine back to the first living node. Mine is just now starting to think about budding. Yours should be budding soon. Good Luck

Alexis
laceyvail 6A, WV
15 years ago
Purple smokebushes are much less hardy than the straight species, and even in my zone, which is actually now zone 6 (the site won't let me change it on my member page--I've tried several times), they often experience a lot of winter dieback. They're best grown as cut back shrubs--like buddleias. Grown this way, they produce a magnificent flush of purple foliage but no blooms.
Related Discussions
Late bloomers and long bloomers today
Q
Comments (10)
Thanks everyone. I find it's easier to appreciate the late daylilies when there is so little competition. I like them all. Marg and Jean,I think Alexis Sunny Pants just might be my favorite plant in the garden this year. It is such a fabulous performer. Eggplant Electricity has been a favorite for a few years. Mantis--Spacecoast Dragon Prince was new last August, but so far has been very impressive. I've always liked Elegant Finale--a very nice late bloomer. Purple Archittecture is fairly new and is putting on a show. Great branching on this one. Val
...See More
How late are late bloomers?
Q
Comments (0)
I have one dahlia which is now 4 ft tall, but I still see no sign of bud forming. It otherwise looks very healthy; I planted it at the same time as my other blooming dahlias (in May). So, I am wondering if this is one of the so-called late bloomers. I dont know what variety it is.
...See More
Late bloomers, re-bloomers and still blooming
Q
Comments (17)
This one was forced. i used the pollen early but no pods set in the heat. its now coming around for a second try 2 months later. it is a blusher out of junes gold. a tardiana. not sure seed will mature in time but tardianas will keep going right up until freeze. Luckily i have a strong blusher blooming at the same time. for another gene injection the proposed union from this spring
...See More
Final Touch - Anyone else have this late bloomer?
Q
Comments (8)
I've grown it for many years. It usually starts blooming here the first week of June and many years has continued blooming until the first of September. That's a really long stretch, Debra. Here is my Final Touch, last blooms here were about two weeks ago. Very pretty, Sherry. Does both of yours bloom all by itself? Or do you have other late ones? Mine seems so lonely blooming when all her garden mates are done, that I think I need another late bloomer to keep her company. Any suggestions?
...See More
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
15 years ago
late season bargains.. are almost ALWAYS problematic .... especially if they spent the season on the blacktop of a bigboxstore ... sometimes the bargain really isnt worth it ... thats another way of saying bargains are a carpshoot ...

on top of the stresses of last year ... there would be issues of whether you planted it properly .... and how horrible winter was in your neck of the woods ....

its still very early .. i have never had a problem in my z5 with the purple smokebush ...

scratch ONCE if you want ... but dont go scratching to much ...

its still very early ... it is not a spring flowering shrub .... so it isnt going to be in tune.. with all those types of plants ...

give it another month.. and you will know .... and i doubt it is grafted.. even if the above is dead.. it might resprout from the roots ... in mid summer ...

if you have a warranty .... if you see no signs of life in 30 days.. discuss such with the seller...

good luck

ken
sakura28
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you all for all the helpful information & advice.
I purchased my smokebush from a nursery in the area, and planted it (to the best of my amateur ability) according to the instructions the owner gave me ... lots of mulch, too. We did have more ice & snow & sub-zero temps than usual this winter, and it's still in the low 30's at night. Things seem to be blooming a little later than I remember last year. My viburnum had flowers already at this time last year, but this year ... it only has buds right now. I did one tiny scratch on the smokebush, and it's green underneath, so I will be more patient ... and wait ... and see.
Thank you again.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Late-Winter and Early-Spring Bloomers for the West

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Tired of waiting for spring to arrive? Try these drought-tolerant, flowering plants for color that starts in late winter

SHRUBS 5 Glorious Late-Season Shrubs

Spilling over with berries or bursting with blooms, these stunning underused shrubs keep the garden party going through fall

SUMMER GARDENING 10 Perennials to Extend Your Garden's Summer Color

By LuAnn Brandsen

Revive summer-weary gardens with outstanding late bloomers such as toad lily, Russian sage, blanket flower and more

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Japanese Anemone

By Becky Harris

This autumn bloomer's showy white blossoms add spark to your late-season plant mix

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: California Grindelia Species for Beneficial Insects

By Debbie Ballentine

Use gum plants as reliable summer bloomers and to provide habitat for California native bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects

0

GARDENING GUIDES Entice Eastern Tiger Swallowtails With Summer Flowers

By Pollination Press LLC

Grow nectar-rich native bloomers and larval host plants for these endearing butterflies

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Great Design Plant: Aromatic Aster Keeps on Blooming

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Tough as nails, drought loving, a deep fall bloomer ... this aster is a champ in sunny gardens

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Plants for Colorful Fall Blooms in the Drought-Tolerant Garden

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Want fall color but not a big water bill? Consider these not-too-thirsty fall bloomers

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Unsung Wildflowers That Thrive in Dry Shade

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Turn shady problem spots into garden idylls with with these prolific, easy-care bloomers

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Great Design Plant: Virginia Mountain Mint

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Watch a world of insects dine on this Midwest native, an easy bloomer that washes the garden (and your skin) in scents of cool mint

Sponsored

1 Review

Industry Leading General Contractors in Columbus

More Discussions

North American Source for Chaemelaucium uncinaturm?

5

Should I cut back the top of a bare root tree?

3

Planting distance Question

17

Does my fig tree need prunning?

3

anyone experience these winter killed?

6