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| My blue shadow fothergilla has mostly glaucous blue leaves but there are a few branches on two of the shrubs that are completely green with absolutely no blue coloring. They are just adjacent to the blue branches so I am confident that the blue hasn't simply washed off from the rain like some blue hostas. It is like a sport or reversion issue? Welcome any comments or thoughts? I was just going to prune off the green branches and hope for the best. It is in a dappled shade under a honey locust tree with an eastern exposure so it is not getting too much sun. Has anyone else had this issue? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| I just planted one this year (dormant in early April) and the new growth is green and matures to blue. |
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| I have had this happen a couple of times, during the first two years after planting, have not seen it since. Normally these solid green branches are suckers that originate at the base of the plant. Most Blue Shadow are cuttings or tissue culture, so not sure why this happens. David |
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- Posted by Pat(plvanslyke@gmail.com) onWed, Jul 20, 11 at 9:06
| I have the same problem, so I called the grower and he consulted with others including the "breeder of the original plant." They've had this complaint before and are not sure why the reversion to f. Mt Airy from which the Blue Shadow cultivar was a sport. He suggested I prune the non-glaucous branches back to the roots. I planted it this spring so I'm not dealing with huge branches. |
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Wed, Jul 20, 11 at 10:05
| if you just planted it.. it is in shock ... and it is not surprising it might be doing weird things.. i would not cut anything off a new transplant.. until it leafs out next spring.. and then make your determination.. if you had started your own post.. you could have checked the box to get this reply to you, pat.. i often wonder if peeps who reply to old posts.. actually get the replies that are made ... ken |
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| The green branches are root suckers that have reverted back to the Mt. Airy form. It is best to cut these branches out if you want the plant to remain blue. |
Here is a link that might be useful: The Plant Hunter
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Wed, Jul 20, 11 at 13:12
| every leaf on a transplant is a food making machine.. if you cut off half the plant.. you take away half its food making ability ... and thereby impact its ability to grow the root mass to get 'established ... its ridiculous ... w/o a picture.. to absolutely state they are root suckers ... and the link above.. does not show me anything relevant.. on a cursory review.. perhaps i missed it ... bottom line .. you can always cut them off later.. you cant staple and tape them back on ... lol ken |
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| Mine greened up during the heat of summer. Returned to blue the next spring. So unless the NEW growth is green there is NO need to cut it down. |
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