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Purple Cotinus

shazza 3shazza 3 Posts: 197
in Problem solving
hello, I have a large purple leaved cotinus which has been growing fine for the last few years. All the new shoots grew as normal but the leaves have started to turn green. the leaves on the edge of the shoots are still purple but the ones further down towards the main trunk are a different colour. I also noticed this is a garden centre that I visited yesterday. can anyone tell me why this has happened ???

many thanks    

Posts

  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    I would guess it's the stress of the very hot summer. You more usually see this when the leaves are short of light but that seems unlikely in a garden centre plant. My cotinus seems to have enjoyed the weather and is very purple and leafy.
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    From what I have heard, leaves can turn more greener if they are in shade, so maybe the lower leaves have not been exposed to enough sun?
  • shazza 3shazza 3 Posts: 197
    thanks for your replies and sorry for such a late response, it's been a hectic few weeks. i think it's more likely that the lower leaves not getting enough light and probably too high a temperature because they seem to back to normal colour now. i think the plant had a big shock when we had some decent weather for a change !!!!

  • IamweedyIamweedy Posts: 1,364
    I have a cotinus Coggyrias and I gave it a rather vigorous prune in early spring. It has been in there for several years now.  In is now looking very sad with no shoots . Could I have killed it or should l wait. There is a clump of several small branches at about 10 inches . I was looking at a video that showed giving it a heavy prune. Should I cut back lower ? It is Royal Purple variety. 



    'You must have some bread with it me duck!'

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    I take it you meant this spring. In which case, be patient, I'm sure they will pick up soon, and start growing again. They do come into leaf quite late compared with some other shrubs, but they make up for it with being less fussy with conditions.
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    But it isn't Spring yet! It should be completely dormant at present.
  • IamweedyIamweedy Posts: 1,364
    Muddle-up . Having severely pruned mine at the end of last year it is sprouting lovely shoots growing again.  Lots of shoots from the stump. Do not despair.  
    I thought mine was a gonner. 



    'You must have some bread with it me duck!'

  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    Having tried dozens of different ways to propagate mine over several years with no success I spoke to a nice man at the RHS. He said they had problems propagating, very difficult, but no problem cutting back. They give theirs a serious prune in February and rarely have a problem.

    On the plus side (saying this quietly) I may have struck two cuttings, Yaaay!
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
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