why is my burning bush dying

Why is My Burning Bush Dying? Troubleshooting Tips to Revive Your Plant

As a landscaper, I often get calls from worried homeowners asking why their beloved burning bushes are dying. This fiery red-foliaged shrub is a staple in many gardens, prized for its vivid fall color. So when those prized bushes start to struggle, it’s understandable that gardeners get concerned.

The good news is, with proper care and troubleshooting, most distressed burning bushes can recover. In this article, I’ll share the most common reasons burning bushes die back or decline. I’ll also give tips to nurse your plants back to health. With a little TLC, you can get those brilliant red leaves blazing again!

Causes of a Dying Burning Bush

Before trying to revive a burning bush, it’s important to correctly diagnose what is causing damage in the first place. Here are the most frequent culprits of burning bush dieback:

• Spider Mites – Tiny sap-sucking pests that cause stippling, discoloration, and leaf drop. They thrive in hot, dry conditions.

• Scales – Armored insects that attach to stems and remove plant juices. Heavy infestations cause branch dieback

• Drought Stress: Leaves can get burned in hot, dry weather, which can cause them to fall color and fall off early.

• Overwatering – Too much moisture leads to root rot and decline.

• Improper Pruning – Cutting bushes at the wrong time removes flower buds and stresses plants.

• Winter Injury – Bitter cold winds and ice can kill branches, especially on exposed sites.

• Disease – Powdery mildew, leaf spots, and cankers are common, especially on weakened plants.

• Age/Decline – Old, overgrown burning bushes can get leggy and sparse, with less vibrant fall color.

Most of the time, spider mites, drought stress, and bad pruning are to blame for burning bush decline. Carefully inspect plants to try to pinpoint the exact problem. Then you can do what you need to do to make your burning bushes grow well again.

Reviving Ailing Burning Bushes

Once you determine why your burning bush is struggling, here are some tips to nurse it back to health:

• For insect pests, spray horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Remove severely infested branches.

• Improve soil conditions with compost and mulch to retain moisture. Water 1-2 inches per week in dry periods.

• Before the first hard freeze, wrap bushes to keep them from dying back in the winter. Place wind barriers if exposed.

• Prune out dead branches in early spring. Avoid pruning right before winter dormancy or after spring growth starts.

• Rejuvenate overgrown plants with renewal pruning, cutting all branches back to 6-12 inches above ground in early spring.

• Treat disease with appropriate fungicides. Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering.

• Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer to stimulate growth after pruning or dieback.

With close inspection, prompt treatment, and proper follow-up care, you can nurse struggling burning bushes back to their former glory. But some that are too far gone may need replacing. Here are tips for planting new long-lasting burning bushes:

Selecting Disease-Resistant Varieties

To avoid many common problems, choose resistant burning bush cultivars like:

• ‘Compactus’ – A dwarf variety growing just 3-5 feet tall and wide. Less prone to pests and disease.

• ‘Golden Spirit’ – Features chartreuse foliage that turns orange-red. Tolerates heat and resists mildew.

• ‘Cherry Bomb’ – A newer variety with deep red leaves all season long. Hardy and compact for smaller spaces.

• ‘Goshiki’ – Has red, pink, and white variegated leaves for three-season color. Withstands heat and resists deer browse.

Choosing the Right Location

When planting new burning bushes, pick sites with:

• Full sun – At least 6 hours of direct sun per day for the brightest fall color. Light afternoon shade is welcomed in hot climates.

• Good air circulation – Avoid cramped spots with poor air movement, which encourages disease.

• Shelter – Select a site protected from strong winds, which cause winter burn and desiccation.

• Well-draining soil – Burning bushes need consistent moisture but hate wet feet. Improve drainage in clay soils with compost.

Proper Care and Maintenance

Keep your new burning bushes thriving with excellent care:

• Water 1 inch per week during dry periods. Avoid overwatering.

• Mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and reduce weeds.

• Fertilize each spring with a balanced organic fertilizer. Avoid high-nitrogen blends.

• Prune right after flowering in late spring to shape plants and improve air circulation.

• Monitor weekly for pests like spider mites or scale. Take prompt treatment action at first signs.