using red lava rock...

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flybynyte Webster, SD(Zone 4a) Sep 08, 2010

a few years ago, i put down some red lava rock in the landscape. it is in an area around a number of spirea shrubs, a dwarf burning bush, and, a 'champlain' shrub rose. i have noticed that the leaves on all of these plants have or are beginning to look "bleached" out. the burning bush was the first to show these symptoms---and, i thought it was a goner. it does seem to be bouncing back this year after a major pruning---practically down to the ground. now, these other shrubs are suffering.

i'm beginning to wonder if it could be something in this red lava rock? although, i have heard of people having no problems in using this stuff.

anyone heard of or experienced this problem?

is their a rememdy without removing all the rock?

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altagardener Calgary, AB(Zone 3b) Sep 08, 2010

I doubt very much it's anything to do with the rock, which is essentially inert.

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missingrosie Hillsborough, NC(Zone 7b) Sep 08, 2010

McDonalds and Wendys use the lava rock and the shrubs look great. Could it be that the rock mulch is absorbing the heat from the sun and cooking your shrubs?

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flybynyte Webster, SD(Zone 4a) Sep 09, 2010

Quote from missingrosie :
McDonalds and Wendys use the lava rock and the shrubs look great. Could it be that the rock mulch is absorbing the heat from the sun and cooking your shrubs?


hmmm, suppose that's a possibility---but, before there was the lava rock, the spirea and dwarf burning bush had river rock around them. didn't notice any problems like this at that point.

the spirea are very close to the house (facing east), so, they do get sun till around 1'ish. the dwarf burning bush gets a little more since it is on the southeast corner of the house. 'champlain' rose shrub gets LOTS of sun.

there are newly planted maples out front now---so, in a few years they definitely won't be seeing quite the sun they are getting now.

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missingrosie Hillsborough, NC(Zone 7b) Sep 09, 2010

Teh lava rock is darker and may absorb heat more than river rock. But it was just a guess trying to figure out the problem since nothing 'in' the lava rock should be problematic.

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amorecuore Ft Lauderdale, FL(Zone 10a) Sep 09, 2010

Could be a combination of the heating up of the lava rock and the area drying quicker with the lava rock. Lava rock isn't as dense. Its more "airy" than river rock, so it probably doesn't hold in moisture as well.

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