Talkback: The strange case of the wilting wisteria

Gardeners' World Web User

I hope you both remembered to take off the plant lables or any close fitting ties on the main stem. I heard this problem on a GQT session and despite years of experience the gardener had still left a tie so tight it choked the plant to death. Commonly happens just after as summer growth surge kiks in. Always check the plug.

Gardeners' World Web User

I am having a problem with my young (4yrs.)pleached lime hedge. One of the trees is having a problem that does not affect the others. Last summer all of its leaves suddenly went brown and crispy and fell off. It kept its buds and this spring although later than the others it did spring back to life. However the same thing has happened again. Within a couple of days the leaves go brown and the tree defoliates itself. I have checked for insects, none. A fungal disease would surely affect the others in the hedge. So I had a look at the roots. Moles have made runs directly under the tree which is preventing the roots from taking up water. Should I dig around the roots to try and settle the earth back round them or will this make matters worse?

Gardeners' World Web User

I am having trouble with some of the leaves turning yellow and falling off. I have sprayed for insects (saw japanese beetles before) but no sign now and still continues on. Any ideals?

Gardeners' World Web User

I also lost my Wisteria after 6 healthy
years of growth the flowers appeared but
did not open then shivelled up and died
the leaves then fell off. cutting some
of the stems back they had also died
and I do not have any explanation

Gardeners' World Web User

I planted my wisteria against a fence. Unfortunately, it was a shady damp area of my garden. Obviously it didn't flower/ Once I realised my mistake I transplanted it into a pot and all of the 'buds' became brances with leaves. However, they are all drooping, I know the cause but does anyone know what I can do. I was surprised that started growing any at all and now I am a little disappointed. Cany anything be done to save it? Any help would be appreciated.

Gardeners' World Web User

This is getting more and more mysterious. I asked Helen Yemm (who has a fabulous advice column in the Telegraph) about the Mysterious Case of the Wilting Wisteria and she has received lots of letters so we are not alone.
However, she is also stumped and so, at the moment is the RHS. I will keep an eye on things on your behalf.

Gardeners' World Web User

WE HAVE HAD A WISTERIA FOR 15 YEARS AND HAS BEEN FANTASTIC.LOTS OF FLOWERS AND NEW GROWTH WHICH I PRUNE. THIS YEAR THE FLOWERS DID NOT OPEN AND THERE IS NO NEW GROWTH.ALSO WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE WHICH HIS ONLY ABOUT 5YEARS OLD AND THERE ARE NO LEAVES AT ALL ON IT ONLY BUDS BUT THE PLANT IS STILL SHOWING GREEN UNDER BARK. I NEED SOME SUGESTIONS.

Gardeners' World Web User

I have the same wilting problem with a four year old wisteria against a wall in a sunny position. It's about 8ft tall and has grown well up to now.

Gardeners' World Web User

I have a similar wilting problem on a seven year old dwarf cherry tree - Compact Stella. It has been planted in the ground for about five years. It flowered well this year as usual and produced a good crop, however in the last ten days the leaves have wilted and turned brown and crispy. I cannot find any sign of pest or disease. Other plants in the same bed are all fine.

Gardeners' World Web User

I have two wisteria growing against a sunny wall, one blue one and one white one (japanese?) anyway, the white one has just suddenly wilted and looks like it died whilst the other one, only 6 feet away looks fine. very odd.

Gardeners' World Web User

after 13 years of correct pruning and supreme flowering, our wisteria has produced flowers and just died. How bizarre! What can have happened this year? Is it really dead or if I leave til next year will it return to normal?(that's me , ever hopeful) I have noticed a large number of small black slugs(or slug like creatures around the base of the plant). Any thoughts anyone? I am surprised at the number of losses of well established wisteria this year.

Elaine