Shrubs IN DISTRESS - Ask Extension
Several of my shrubs are in distress - my oak leaf hydrangea flowers are small, the leaves are shriveled - this is also affecting my dogwood shrubs. ...
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Shrubs IN DISTRESS #871864
Asked June 06, 2024, 11:09 AM EDT
Several of my shrubs are in distress - my oak leaf hydrangea flowers are small, the leaves are shriveled - this is also affecting my dogwood shrubs. My regular hydrangeas are not blooming or some have regular blooms and the newer ones are shriveled. Can’t see bugs on leaves or flowers nor any kind of moss - it has also turned my fern leaves brown speckled - any ideas?
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi,
This appears to be herbicide damage on all of these shrubs. Either something volatized and went through the air or if you applied something in a lawn area near them it could have traveled to the roots.
Unfortunately there isn't anything you can do about it now accept clip off any damaged flower heads or leaf tips etc. The dog wood looks to be hit the worse so it may not pull through. Just watch for any new growth and see if it can work its way out.
If you didn't apply any herbicide you may want to check with any neighbors and make sure they don't do so again on a windy day or a day where it could be too hot to use the product per the label instructions.
Thank you. I found out about a month ago that my lawn care company was “spraying” what they said were safe weed killers. I immediately let them go - question - if I have to replace the dogwoods should I wait until next Spring, or can I plant this fall?
It's hard to say without knowing what product the lawn care company used, and if they dosed it correctly. Several herbicides break down relatively quickly, but some have a longer persistence. If they can tell you what was used, we might be able to predict how long residues would last, but that's also assuming the container holding the spray/granules wasn't contaminated with the residues of a prior application using different chemicals. Given that, it would probably be safer to wait until early autumn (when it's still a great time to plant deciduous shrubs and trees), though it might be fine now, especially if the application was made a month ago.
Miri
Miri
Thank you so much for your help. This just breaks my heart. I will plant new in the Fall. Appreciate you guys so much. Glad my neighbor recommended you.
You're welcome!
