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Burning Bush leaf edges turning brown #419597

Asked August 06, 2017, 5:50 PM EDT

Hello, We planted three Burning Bushes on June 1st, 2017. They all face west. This week, August 6th, we have noticed a change in their leaves. The edges are turning brown and some have brown spots. They don't seem to have grown very much. What advice or guidance can you give us for the bushes to be more healthy? Thank you! Becky Clemons Englewood, CO

Arapahoe County Colorado

Expert Response

Becky,

burning bush is a relatively slow grower, and you can't expect much growth in the same year that you plant a shrub.  Most of its' new growth occurred back in May, before you planted it.

Just be patient.

As for the browning leaves, these shrubs do not yet have a well-established root system - they were just planted in June.     So, on a hot west exposure, you are seeing the browning effects of heat and insufficient water transport to all the leaves.  This is not to suggest that you water a lot more.  Consider a wood chip mulch, applied about 1.5 inch deep, all around the shrub, but kept 6 inches away from the stems/trunks.

The browned leaves will not recover to re-green, but you should see new growth next May.   Be sure to water these shrubs during dry warm snowless periods Oct - Apr.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 08, 2017, 6:13 PM EDT

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