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I know clethra is slow to leaf out but..

8 years ago

Last fall I planted half a dozen gallon-size clethra (some Hummingbird, some another I don't remember). After a mild winter, all look completely dead. I knew that they would be the last shrub to leaf out, and that people often think they are dead when they are not, but should the twigs snap like dead wood?? Should I be patient and wait, or prune down to green wood. I'm not even sure how far down that might be, if there is any at all.

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Comments (6)

wisconsitom
8 years ago
Just because of the date on the calendar, it makes sense to wait another week or so. Here, the weather is just starting to get spring-like, so patience is a virtue. What would you gain by being in a hurry?
cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
8 years ago
None of mine have started up yet and I am warmer than you. I have species, Vanilla Spice, Sixteen Candles, Ruby Spice, Hummingbird, and another whose name escapes me at the moment and none are doing anything. I can see buds about to happen, so I know they are OK, they're just slow.
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kitasei
Original Author
8 years ago
I am curious if it is possible for twigs to break off with a snap, and yet not be dead. That's always been the way i told. Am I wrong?
laceyvail 6A, WV
8 years ago
Twigs could be dead while further down the plant there's life. Lightly scrape the bark near the base with your fingernail. If you see green, the plant is alive.
cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
8 years ago
One of the hardest things to do is nothing :)

Just be patient and when the shrub has fully leafed out then remove what is dead.
ajs317
8 years ago
I have the Crystalina variety, located in upper Westchester. It still looks dormant and in fact I did a scratch test just this weekend to check whether a stem was green. Clethra is both very cold hardy and likes wet ground, so I doubt there is anything in our winters that would kill it.

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