So I've taken off every part of the wood that I possibly can without doing too much damage to the new shoots.... I have used rooting powder & potted up about 8 shoots that came off (fingers crossed) so now we play the waiting game.
Oh, it's such a shame, it was a gorgeous plant last year & was well over 7 foot high, let's hope it now has a new lease of life
It does sound like the cold got it Julie unless you have those temps normally? which I wouldn't imagine you would do. Really pleased it is coming back from the base! My Cape Fuchsia which a neighbour gave me last year did too, all the top growth was dead as a dodo but suddenly all these little green bits started coming out the soil. I'm still leaving my Hebe in place just in case but somehow I think that one is a gonner!
Well I must say MMM, that this last autumn/winter has been the worst autumn/winter than a lot of the old irish folk around here have seen. This area usually gets a light dusting of snow for a few days - well, we had a good few weeks of it!
Also, although we were lucky with the water, there were a LOT of homes with frozen water pipes - Gail had no water for about 5 weeks, certainly throughout january, she had no water at all.
So yes, thinking about it, it probably was the cold that did for the poor old plant - but I was so pleased to see the new growth there! I know it's not going to reach 6 or 7 feet in height this year, but it should put on a good display in a few weeks - hopefully!
Yep, I thought I had killed mine (well, I thought the frost had), but I took it right down to about 2 inches above the soil and yes, the bugger is back. Looking very much like yours, Julie, minus the twiggy bits. I just figured about a month or so ago that whatever happened, chopping it back would be the best option - either it would spring back to life, or would be dead as a dodo. If it's anything like mine, it'll be about 4 foot high next week....
The weather did murder my ceanothus, though...........there is no resurrecting that poor soul.
I took my dog to play frisbee. She was useless. I think I need a flatter dog.
(thanks)