shrub disease

michael brenock · Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 12:29 pm Post subject: shrub disease

has anybody seen a god clean healthy specimen of Escallonia recently? I came across a single bush in isolation recently and I am wondering if it has just escaped infection or has it developed resistance. I would like to hear from any gardeners out there who might have a valuable resistant strain or variety.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

kindredspirit · Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 5:19 pm Post subject:

Mine don't seem to be troubled.

They're hiding behind a wall now, though, so that may have helped. They're remmants of a 50' long Escallonia hedge that I had.

forest flame · Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:44 pm Post subject:

hi michael
i have seen a lot of escallonia macrantha in good shape and a few escallonia apple blossom also doing okay

mountainy man · Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:47 pm Post subject:

My two seen fine, nearest garden to me is about a mile away and down wind (generaly) so am in isolation mabey thats the reason they are ok.

michael brenock · Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:16 pm Post subject:

maybe it is only in the south and south west that the Escallonias have been infected with the foliar disease Macospaerella, it is proving fatal in most cases. spraying as a preventative is not an option. Many people mistakenly thought that the damage was caused by the severe frost.. It is good news that there are still plenty good healthy specimens around.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

Sive · Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:48 pm Post subject:

Not just the South, Michael.
My escallonia hedge here in north Wexford is completely infected, and has been for the past two years. It looked well in the spring and flowered well in the summer, but the signs of infection are everywhere again.
I have a white-flowered escallonia in another part of the garden and I was really excited that it was unaffected....until this year....I think I can see the early signs of infection on that one too.

Maeve Drogheda · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 5:29 pm Post subject:

No Michael,

There are no healthy escallonias around Drogheda, Bettystown, Laytown. So it is not just the south or south west that was affected. A gardening friend in Rathfarnham Dublin has had to remove a complete hedge in his garden also.

Her Outdoors · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:32 pm Post subject:

Hi Michael a couple of pictures of some survivors. We lost about 5 big Escallonia shrubs. Those in the picture seem to be coming back from the ground like the fuschias did. I had cut them right down thinking they were finished. My poor garden is suffering this year because I broke my right wrist and I am still in plaster so no weeding being done. I miss being in it so much. I can type again anyway, so back on the forum at least. It's a start!

michael brenock · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 7:45 pm Post subject:

I dont know whether it is good or bad news with the Escallonia. The disease seems to be spreading geographically but seems to be less severe. The young growths emerging from ground level appear to be vigorous but I think will succumb to the disease in the late Autumn. Some of my escallonia stems were 25 cms (10 ins) in diameter. I have cut them down and they are all dead or dying.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

Sive · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 9:33 pm Post subject:

My 3-year old hedge definitely has the disease, Michael, but it has lovely fresh green growth every spring, and it continues to flower well. But for the past two years it has lost its leaves in the winter. I'm just wondering whether it might not be worth persevering a while longer.......could it possibly build up a resistance, or maybe the fungus start to lose its strength ? What do you think ?
I was fully prepared to pull up the entire hedge this autumn, but now I'm not too sure.