Unhappy Arnold\'s Promise Witch Hazel, Why?

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
AnnInCT Branford, CT Mar 20, 2017

This Arnold's Promise dutifully blooms, on time, every year, but only on the low outside branches. The middle of the shrub never blooms. Why? The whole shrub leafs out as it should, when it should. I look forward to ending this mystery! Thank you.

Thumbnail by AnnInCT
Post #10283779
Quote
Audrey Hadley, PA(Zone 5a) Mar 21, 2017

I saw a discussion about this problem on another site. Some people thought it was caused by drought stress, others by suckers coming up from below the graft.

Post #10283961
Quote
birder17 Jackson, MO(Zone 6b) Mar 22, 2017

My "guess" is growing from below the graft since the outside "dutifully" blooms every year and the center doesn't. I'm not sure how to change this.

Post #10284085
Quote
ViburnumValley Scott County, KY(Zone 5b) Mar 22, 2017

YES.

'Arnold Promise' does not have persistent foliage. The stems in your picture which DO have persistent foliage are likely the culprits that have not bloomed (YET) but are suckers from the understock onto which the 'Arnold Promise' scion wood was grafted.

The persistent foliage is indicative of Hamamelis vernalis. This is the worst rootstock/understock to use for grafting purposes. To quote one of the best producers of hybrid grafted Witch-hazels, by using Hamamelis vernalis as understock:

"You might as well graft onto Johnsongrass."

You can post more pictures here detailing where the stems are emanating on this plant, and which ones are flowering as 'Arnold Promise' versus which are not flowering but have the persistent marcescent leaves. Then we can help you gradually change this situation in favor of what you expected when you planted your Witch-hazel.

Post #10284144
Quote
AnnInCT Branford, CT Mar 23, 2017

Such knowledge is invaluable. Thank you for sharing. I'll work on the photos. And it sounds like I need to share this info with the garden center where I bought the plant -- they might want to talk to their source!

Post #10284244
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Ask-a-Dave's-Gardener Threads

Go to all Ask-a-Dave's-Gardener threads
BACK TO TOP