Because South Florida offers ample sunshine throughout the year – and typically warm temperatures – it is not uncommon for many of our plants and trees to grow year-round. Still, depending on the type of plant, there are adverse conditions which may occur and result in damage to them. Even if your landscaping is exhibiting wilting flowers and dead shrubs, can these be revitalized and brought back to health?
Thankfully, the answer is often yes. Whether they were damaged in a drought or a hard overnight freeze, most regional trees, shrubs and flowers can be nursed back to vitality – if you know how.
When considering how to bring your shrubs back to life, it is important to determine the cause of the blight. Here are a few of the more common problems our landscaping can experience in the Tampa and Sarasota area.
Note: If there are obviously dead branches, prune them away. This will help the remainder of the shrub to bounce back more quickly, as nutrients, sunlight and water are then channeled to healthier portions of the plant.
Dying Roots: There are several reasons why roots may die, but the two most common are “drowning” and freezing. If there is an overabundance of rain – or if you irrigate too aggressively – roots which are not properly draining can begin to drown. It won’t be long before the effects are manifest on the entirety of the shrub. Although rain is uncommon in our cooler seasons, if these occur together it can be completely devastating to the plant. Also, roots which are not used to freezing temperatures can also suffer if a cold snap lasts too long. All of these situations can be remedied by exposing the roots and covering with fresh soil to absorb water and surround roots. Applying an additional layer of mulch on the surface once the roots are dried out will help to keep the heat in the soil and allow the plant to recover.
Insect Attacks: Infestation can cause defoliation and the appearance of dead shrubs – but again, if you catch the problem in time, you should be able to revive the plants. If you notice defoliation and yellowing, check the shrub’s leaves for insects or honeydew, the sticky substance many aphids leave behind. First, prune all affected branches completely, and dispose of them away from the plant. use pruning shears which are disinfected, and make sure that you disinfect again after pruning so as not to inadvertently pass along insect larva upon next use. Spray the remaining shrub thoroughly with a mix of water and insecticidal soap, coating both leaves and stems. After a couple of hours, rinse the shrub with plain water. If you are treating the plant during winter months, it is best to do so when the sun is the strongest, so the leaves to not get “freezer burn” if still wet when the overnight cold temperatures arrive.
Poor Nutrition: Dead shrubs (or at least those which appear dead) are often victims of iron chlorosis, which can be caused by a variety of conditions. You can test the soil pH to determine if it is between 6.0 and 6.5, the most common ideal range for shrubs. If the pH is too high in the soil, shrubs may have a difficult time absorbing nutrients. By balancing the soil and feeding the root system the proper nutrients, you should see positive results. Check out Plant Nutrition products here.
One of the best aspects of living in paradise is being surrounded by beauty all year long. If you have dead shrubs, brown grass, or struggling palms, come to Big Earth Landscape Supply. We have all the nutritional and herbicidal products you will need to bring your landscaping back to life.
FAQs
If you have dead shrubs, brown grass, or struggling palms, come to Big Earth Landscape Supply. We have all the nutritional and herbicidal products you will need to bring your landscaping back to life.
How to rejuvenate old shrubs? ›
Proper pruning can renew or rejuvenate overgrown, deciduous shrubs. One option is to prune them back over a three-year period. Begin by removing one-third of the largest, oldest stems at ground level in late winter/early spring (March or early April).
How to save a bush that is dying? ›
Water your shrub thoroughly to help with the growth process, and then prune out any lingering dead stems that didn't sprout new leaves. Saturated soil surrounding your brown shrubs is a sign of overwatering. Let up on the hydration until the soil dries out.
How to help bushes grow back? ›
Take Care of Pruning Each Spring
By taking care of it during spring, you can remove any dead parts and make a big difference in how well your shrubs grow with the return of warmer weather.
Can you revive a dead shrub? ›
Thankfully, the answer is often yes. Whether they were damaged in a drought or a hard overnight freeze, most regional trees, shrubs and flowers can be nursed back to vitality – if you know how. When considering how to bring your shrubs back to life, it is important to determine the cause of the blight.
Can you revive a brown shrub? ›
Chemical damage to your shrubs can severely harm your plant. However, if the browning it causes isn't too severe, it is possible to revive these plants. All you need to do is make sure the plant remains well-watered. Enough hydration can help to combat the chemical damage.
How do you revive a dried out bush? ›
In this guide, we'll take you through a step-by-step process that's easy to follow.
- Assess the Damage. ...
- Rehydrate the Soil. ...
- Trim Dead or Damaged Parts. ...
- Increase Humidity. ...
- Provide Adequate Light. ...
- Repot if Necessary. ...
- Use a Soil Moisture Meter, Apply a Root Stimulator. ...
- Be Patient.
A lot of the pruning you do for woody plants is done in late winter or early spring. But there are a few exceptions to this general rule. Dead or diseased wood should be removed whenever you see it, even if that is during the active growing season.
Is my shrub dead or dormant? ›
Check Under the Bark for Dormancy
Using your fingernail or a clean pair of pruners, gently scratch the surface of a twig to reveal the layer of tissue right below the outer covering. If the tissue is a shade of green, the twig is alive. If the tissue is white or brown, the twig is likely dead.
How do you tell if a bush is still alive? ›
The scratch test is a tried-and-true method to check a shrub's viability. Gently scratch a small section of bark on the stem with your fingernail or a pocket knife. Beneath the outer layer of bark, you should find a layer of green tissue. This green layer indicates that the shrub is still alive and capable of growth.
Miracle-Gro® Rescue™ Outdoor Plant Potion™ is an extraordinary elixir crafted to revive hungry and stressed plants, rescuing yellowing, wilting, nutritionally stressed outdoor flower and vegetable plants in 3 easy doses.
Can I cut my shrubs down to the ground? ›
Rejuvenation pruning, also called renewal pruning, involves cutting some types of shrubs almost down to the ground, leaving only 6 to 24 inches. Done every three to five years, this extreme method of pruning can indeed rejuvenate an overgrown or misshapen shrub, just as the name implies.
How far back can you cut a bush without killing it? ›
Follow the 1/3 rule. Many people are intimidated when they try to think about how much they can prune without damaging the shrub's health and vigor. When making pruning decisions, keep in mind that you can safely remove up to one-third of the plant's growth at any one time.
What is the best fertilizer for old shrubs? ›
Research in woody plant nutrition has shown however that nitrogen is the element that yields the greatest growth response in trees and shrubs. For this reason, high nitrogen fertilizers with N-P-K ratios of 4-1-1, 3-1-1 or 3-1-2 are generally recommended for feeding established woody plants.
How do you prune dead shrubs? ›
Here's what to do: For shrubs that suffered die back – that is, there's growth coming in on some part of the plant, but not all of it - cut off the dead stems to just above some vigorous new growth. Don't be afraid to remove small, spindly growth if there are bigger, healthier buds growing below.
