Ok....I thought it would be a good idea to move two texas sages since they were taking over my beds. I moved one in front of each kitchen window in the front of the house. I moved them in Feb thinking that would be a good time, now I am realizing fall would have been better, but that ship has sailed. Since then they have had one lone branch that is nice and leafy and the rest looks like dead sticks. I realize it will take time for it to come back, and it is showing little signs of life on some of the branches. But....now I have a dead looking shrub front and center. So...while it is recovering, any ideas on something I could put in front of it to take the attention off of it? The sage is about 3 feet tall, not much in front of it besides some orange cosmos that reseeds each year. The place gets full sun most of the day until the sun moves off behind the house at the end of the day, then it is in the shade. And if anyone has ideas on how to maybe speed this guy's recovery up I'd be glad for that too. I haven't really fertilized for fear of burning roots before he's ready for it, and he doesn't get any water really unless it rains. But perhaps now that he is showing little bits of growth on the ends I should fertilize?
Thanks! Kim
looking for ideas...dead looking shrub
I'd trim it back so the root system has less to support and hit it with a diluted solution to help it get started.
So it would be ok to trim it back in this heat? I was worried that it would be too hot for it to recover.
Thanks, Kim
Well, if they're dieing anyway, it can't hurt. On most things, especially if you transplant in the heat, the root system can't support the top growth until the roots get re-established. That's why the top part is dieing. If you cut it back, it has less top growth to support and is more likely to live. Don't cut it to the ground. Normal rule of thumb is never prune more than 1/3 or the plant, but that's in normal pruning or shaping situation. To move it this time of year, I'd probably take half the top off. The root stimulator will help. I've never transplanted a Texas Sage, so maybe someone else can chime in here with better advice. I also don't know how long it'll take it to recover, so you may have scraggly plants for a while. I've trimmed my Texas Sage pretty hard a few times to make them have thicker growth and not look so spindly. They've bounced back pretty quickly, but again, I didn't move them, just pruned them. Sorry I'm not more help on that.
Crow
Actually they aren't dying, there is new growth on the tips of the branches but it has remained that way for months. The new growth has not grown any more than that. There are two branches in the back that are nice and full, perhaps they are sucking too much energy from the rest of the plant? I am worried if I cut off the new growth trying to come out that then they will die.
Also, they weren't moved in the heat, it was Feb and so they have a few months of decent weather. It has only been hot the past two weeks or so here. I gave them root stimulator when I moved them, but perhaps it is time for a new application. I guess I thought that they would have enough time to recover. Next time I will know better...lol.
Any ideas on a good plant to put in front of it while it is recovering? I have a salvia that needs moving, but it is quite warm now and it isn't all that big.
Thanks! Kim
Kim, I know this is a little late but reading another thread on another forum (don't ask where or what 'cause I can't remember) the writers were talking about taking and washing all the soil off plants before they planted them in their "$5 holes" to get the good roots going and untangled well. They had in the past just kind of roughed up the roots and dirt but when the plants died they pulled them up and a lot of time there was little or no resistance. Examining the roots they found them root bound - all wrapped in a circle at the bottom - and that all the watering and feeding in the world wouldn't have helped. That could be what has happened to your plants and if you do decide to pull them up it would be interesting to know if this is what has happened to yours. Just a thought - best of luck.
Ann
Maybe plant some russian sage. I think it would grow tall quickly, it is a nice color and tall.
Russian sage....that sounds like it might work. Thanks for the suggestion!
Ann....that may be, but I think that my disturbing some pretty large roots that I could not dig up all the way is probably what made them mad. I had no idea when I started how large and widespread of a root system they had.
I will try trimming them a bit this weekend and will keep my eye out for the sage. What do you all use for a root stimulator?
:) Kim
I pick up the bottled stuff at Cornelius or Lowe's and dilute it. It smells like vitamins but works well. I can't remember the brand name. I'll see if I have a bottle in the garage and get the brand, but any brand should be fine.
Is there a particular color bloom you're looking for in the temporarty fronting of these?
Right now there is a large brugmansia beside it, but it hasn't bloomed yet. One the other side is a gaillardia that is red and an echinacea. In front is some coleus and mint. So really about any color would probably work, although I am quite partial to blues and purples.
I have two sage growing side by side. One was really full and all new leaves from the beginning of the spring. The other was sort of scraggly and didn't look too good. I did my usual and threw just a little (1/2 cup or so) of epsom salt around over the root area. Within a week it had caught up with it's sister. Can't hurt to try and might give it the boost it needs.
Just a thought.
Christi
I have a lot of purple/blues in my garden. The Indigo Spires and Mystic Spires salvias do really well for me, but avoid the Black and Blue, it's very invasive. The East Friesland is a shorter and very well behaved one. I also have the purple porterweek and love it and Blue Daze wouldn't get too big for you and is a non stop bloomer. You may loose both of these in a prolonged hard freeze. The blue agapanthus or Nile Lily also does well here, as long as they don't have wet feet. There's always blue plumbago and duranta, but both get quite large and would probably not suit since it would be as big or bigger than the Texas Sage. Purple LA iris do well here, but have a relatively short bloom time. I have a lot of them because they are such show stoppers when they do bloom. Hope this has at least given you a few ideas.
Oh, and I second the Epsom Salt idea. It works wonders for me on my roses. I haven't tried it on anything else.
The epsom salts sound great, where do you purchase those?
I second you on the black and blue, it is taking over a bed in the back of the house. I thinned it out quite a bit this spring and you can't even tell. Argentine skies is doing the same thing. I love the plumbago but I have tried it two years in a row and it has not made it through the winter both times, so I gave up on it. I took great means to protect it too. Perhaps I will give the salts a try first before doing anything else to see if it takes off.
Thanks everyone!
:) Kim
I'm not sure how you fancy red, but it sounds as though it is an ideal place for the firecracker plant. The hotter it is, and the more you neglect it, the better it blooms.
davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/710228/
Cheapest place to buy ES in my area is Walgreens. 12#s for $9.00
Used to be half that until everyone caught on to the gardening aspect. BTW it is not salt.
Christi
rjudd, is that firecracker plant the same as cigar plant cuphea? It looks very much like it in the photo.
LouC, what is the theory behind sprinkling epsom salts around plants? I don't mean any disrespect, but I am always interested in the science behind "kitchen remedies." Please don't take offense, because I don't mean any.
DP
I never take offense. You would have to tap me on the shoulder and tell me you were going to offend me or I would never know it. Be right back.
Christi
Magnesium and sulfur are the two major components of Epsom Salt. Crop researchers have determined that magnesium is:
A critical mineral for seed germination.
Vital to the production of chlorophyll, which plants use to transform sunlight into food.
An aid in the absorption of phosphorus and nitrogen, two of the most important fertilizer components.
Sulfur, the other major component of Epsom Salt, is also an important plant nutrient. Sulfer may:
Contribute to chlorophyll production.
Make the primary nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) found in most fertilizers more effective.
Although magnesium and sulfur occur naturally in soil, they can be depleted by various conditions, including heavy agricultural use over time. But unlike most commercial fertilizers, which build up in the soil over time, Epsom Salt is not persistent so you can't overuse it. Tests by the National Gardening Association confirm - roses fertilized with Epsom Salt grow bushier and produce more flowers, while the compound makes pepper plants grow larger than those treated with commercial fertilizer alone.
The link in the above post got real long and gave a lot of good information. I have added it to the fertilizer for years and there is an immediate difference. Pros and cons but my experience has always been postive.
This message was edited May 28, 2008 5:09 PM
No, firecracker is different than cigar plant cuphea- I have them both.
I love those blue daze...they are one my favorites!
rjuddharrison, if you like blue daze and haven't tried Marine Bells (Browallia speciosa) you are in for a treat! Some guy on Dave's tried to argue me down that they are the same, but they simply aren't. Browallia looks like a beefed-up version of blue daze, to some extent. The leaves are a richer green and the blooms are larger. It comes in blue, purple and white. It's not easy to find, at least in this small town. Surely in Houston somebody would have it.
I assume firecracker is also a cuphea? How is it different from cigar plant?
DP
It is a Russelia equisetiformis, although I notice that cuphea also uses that nickname. Firecracker has a denser blooming habit, resulting in a very showy red. It is interesting as it really doesn't have foliage so to speak
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1334/
got to check out the Marine Bells..sounds cool!
Ok...got the epsom salts today. How much do I apply per plant, and should it be mixed in water or just applied directly?
Thanks! Kim
Here I am again with my old method. Take a little in your hand and sprinkle like you are feeding chickens. I would say abou 1/2 cup per plant. Then just water it in. Jump back! Miracles about to happen. hahahaha
Christi
Ok...nothing has happened yet and my patience is wearing very thin. I tried dressing up the area with a few new plants but now am about to tear the whole thing out and start over. I thought I'd trim some of the uglier leaves off the bottom of the brug beside it so new leaves could grow in...two weeks later it still looks like a big green tree...beside the bush full of sticks...LOL. Sigh....
So if I would tear this out and start over....any thoughts on what might be a nice medium-sized plant for in front of my kitchen window? The area faces southeast so it gets shade in the afternoon. Something evergreen would be preferable. The only thing right now the pops to mind is a salvia greggii but I have one of those on the other side of the front door. It's a good thing I never went into landscaping.
:) Kim
Go to RjuddHarrison's blog. He has everything you ever wanted to know about Brugs. Brought several large "trees" to my home this spring. Just this week one of them bloomed a very small bloom. Today he told me they are more attuned to cooler weather so I could expect more blooms in the fall. 90+ Texas weather is a killer for almost everything. Pulled up half of my veggie garden this evening.
RJ is the ruler of brugs grown in Texas.
I've actually got a few brugs in the ground...this one is doing well but I just don't like the location. And the worst part is I don't have anywhere else to move it. So I suppose it may just end up in a pot if I decide to rip it all out. I am just not very good at planning things out before I plant them...so I was hoping people with some more experience may be able to make some suggestions.
:) Kim
Go to Toprical Plants or Tropical Zone Gardening. These people have all of the answers.
Here is my 2 cents if you still are thinking of medium bush. I have some medium evergreen rose bushes in similar conditions. Martha Gonzalas, The fairy, Marie Daly. If you are patient I can try to root one. Salvai greggii come in all colors I have a bed with pink, purple and red. You can trim them. It is lovely.
Magnesium and sulphur are also the 2 main ingredients in Miracle Grow. I wonder how many people know this? You could stop using MG and start using Epsom salt and get almost identical results. Now that would really upset the apple cart for MG wouldn't it? And it's a lot cheaper for the consumer!
Epsom Salt is currently on sale at Walgreens, 6# for 2.69. It is my absolute standby. More so since we are trying to convert to total organic.
Christi
I'll try to get a pic tonight when I get home of the area. I applied the epsom salts about 2 weeks ago and perhaps I am just being impatient, but I don't see any changes. I wouldn't mind if it wasn't smack dab in front of the house.
Christi~Depending on who you listen to, some organic peeps are very anti-epsom salt. You might have to whisper that you use it in some organic circles!! LOL
The last time I bought ES, I got it at Sam's. It was incredibly cheap.
Thanks, Stephanie.
I observed something interesting when I went over to my friends to help her do some landscaping. I had given her about 10 full sized brugs at the beginning of spring- I was shocked actually on how well they were doing. It's hot, arid...she had covered the area with pea gravel which really kept the moisture at levels the brugs like. and...they were blooming profusely, as sight not seen here this time of year at the current temps.
I'd want the advice of a Ph.D. horticulturist before I used epsom salts on anything.
DP
isn't magnesium and epsom one and the same?
Epsom Salt: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epsom_salt
awsome! thanks
Ok....here is the shrub as it looks tonight.
And here is the whole view....which I despise right now...
ain't it wonderful. God has provided all we need in many natural forms. All we have to do is accept it. Ever looked up vinegar? Baking soda? olive oil? Aspirin?
All products from nature that have supernatural results.
I just know that whatever way I choose to use EP, I have good results. Just too easy.
PK