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
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.
How to rejuvenate old shrubs? ›
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 to grow back dead bushes? ›
Give it a light application of granular fertilizer formulated for woody plants (I like rose fertilizer for flowering shrubs, holly fertilizer for foliage plants) and keep it well watered all summer to encourage a rapid recovery.
Can you get a dead bush in survival? ›
How to get a Dead Bush in Survival Mode. You can add a dead bush to your inventory in Survival mode by trimming a dead bush with a pair of shears.
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? ›
If your shrub turned brown due to extreme heat, start by watering the roots slowly. The good news is that many times, shrubs do bounce back. However, whether or not your shrub can be revived will largely have to do with what caused it to turn brown in the first place.
How do you revive a dried out bush? ›
To revive the plant, you can soak it in water and then adopt a predictable watering schedule that uses the same amount of water each time. Remove dead leaves: Improper care may cause most leaves on the plant to die, and it's usually best to remove leaves that have become entirely brown.
What is the lifespan of a bush? ›
What is the Average Lifespan of Shrubs? Some people believe their plants and shrubs will live forever, but this is rarely the case. Shrubs usually live around 10 to 15 years before you need to consider new plants.
Does cutting off dead branches help a shrub? ›
If the top of the shrub is dead or very thin in its leaf development and there is a good flush of new growth at the base, then it will be best to cut all of the old stems out now and restart the shrub from the base. Then the shrub will focus its energy on the new foliage developing from the base.
How do you pull up a dead shrub? ›
Dig Around the Base: Use a shovel to dig around the base of the shrub, exposing the root system. Be cautious not to damage nearby plants or structures. Remove the Roots: Grasp the shrub near the base and begin to rock it back and forth. As you do this, use the shovel to sever any remaining roots.
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 far back can you cut a bush without killing it? ›
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. There may be times when you prune more, such as when you are rejuvenating an overgrown shrub, but generally speaking, the “one-third rule” is the best guideline to follow.
Can you leave old shrub roots in the ground? ›
"During removal, it is important to dig down outside the original root ball to identify any roots that may growing out away from the plant," says Joyce. "You can follow that root and expose it, pulling it out as you go." Not removing all of the roots can have a negative effect on your soil and future growth.
