Hi, I volunteer at a church where they have an old, overgrown spirea. Just about everything I find on the internet says to cut it back about 6 inches, but a landscaper told me only to cut it to 1/3 because it's so old. In addition, I'm not sure if she meant only to cut it's overall size to 1/3, or if I should also cut maybe 1/3 of it's older branches down to the ground. Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated!
You can use either method. This article tells how:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/shgen/rejuvenation-pruning-tips.htm
We have had 4 dark knight Bluebeard spirea bushes for about 1 1/2 years. Last spring I trimmed back the flowering buds when the leaf growth started and they did great. They are about 2’ before the blooms which were another foot. This year we had a late frost in April that froze the leafy growth at about 1/4”. I trimmed again but the plants still don’t show any new growth where there is dead frozen new growth. It is now late May. Did these bushes probably die or is there still hope they will bud out again soon where the new buds froze? What should I do. There is also no growth from the roots. The picture attached is before this years trim. Thanks
I would cut them to the ground and if you don't get any new growth by mid June, just replace them. I find butterfly bushes to be short lived. They look good for a couple of years, but after that they seem to decline in the colder zones.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/butterfly-bush/how-to-revive-butterfly-bush.htm
Hi! I have a spirea plant that is mostly spindly little sticks, and it does not flower. Please see photo 1. (The ones next to it are okay.) Is there anything to be done, or is this a lost cause and I should dig it up? Also, when I cut my hydrangea shrubs back, I discovered that one of the "shrubs" looked more like come random shoots (that had perhaps spread from the hydrangea adjacent to it). Please see photo 2. Should I just let this be or try to dig it up? Many thanks!
Try pruning your spirea to perk it up. It looks like it suffered winter injury in the past. For the hydrangea, if you do not want to grow another one, sever the rhizome that is connecting the two (plunge your shovel in the dirt between the two till you see the connecting roots severed). Then you can cut it back to the ground and repeat if it continues to come up. Or after disconnecting it you can use a nonselective herbicide to kill it. Always read and follow label instructions.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/spirea/pruning-spirea-shrubs.htm
My spirea looks dry now that a racoon dug it up I replanted them into pots with fresh soil...will they come back to life?
It depends on how long the roots were exposed to air. This article gives tips on how to proceed.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/dealing-with-uprooted-plants.htm
The bushes were fine in June and part of July, now I see all the tips browned. The soil feels moist when I touch it so I don’t think they’re dry.
Unfortunately, this might be due to soils that do not have a chance to dry out between watering. This should dry down to about 3 inches between waterings. Fungicides may be necessary. This article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-moisture-in-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/spirea/growing-spirea-shrubs.htm
Evergreen shrub approximately eight foot tiny white flowers looked in all my books it’s in England but really not sure it’s a British plant
That is Spirea:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/spirea/growing-spirea-shrubs.htm
Could you please tell me the name of plant (see attached picture).
Tha5 looks like Spiraea nipponica!
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/spirea/growing-spirea-shrubs.htm