Soil fungus killing shrubs - Ask Extension
Hello master gardeners,
A seemingly healthy dwarf honeysuckle suddenly died last week and the one next to it is starting to wilt as well.
Perhaps wi...
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Soil fungus killing shrubs #871669
Asked June 05, 2024, 9:22 AM EDT
Hello master gardeners,
A seemingly healthy dwarf honeysuckle suddenly died last week and the one next to it is starting to wilt as well.
Perhaps with all the recent rain I might have a soil fungus? Is there anything I can do to keep it from wiping out my garden?
Thank you!!
Lise Trudeau
Mendota Heights
Dakota County Minnesota
Expert Response
We can't determine what's causing the wilt by viewing the photos.
Roots too long in saturated soil could account for it. So could fungal diseases such as Verticillium wilt.
Sometimes laboratory analysis is needed to determine the cause. Short of that or a definitive diagnosis, it's advisable not to replant honeysuckle in the same location.
Go here to learn about Verticilliuim wilt.
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/caes/documents/publications/fact_sheets/plant_pathology_and_ecology/verticilliumwiltoftreesandshrubspdf.pdf
In any case, whatever is affecting the honeysuckles is unlikely to run rampant and harm many other kinds of plants in your garden.
Roots too long in saturated soil could account for it. So could fungal diseases such as Verticillium wilt.
Sometimes laboratory analysis is needed to determine the cause. Short of that or a definitive diagnosis, it's advisable not to replant honeysuckle in the same location.
Go here to learn about Verticilliuim wilt.
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/caes/documents/publications/fact_sheets/plant_pathology_and_ecology/verticilliumwiltoftreesandshrubspdf.pdf
In any case, whatever is affecting the honeysuckles is unlikely to run rampant and harm many other kinds of plants in your garden.
