Dying Ivy and scrubs - Ask Extension
I have been gone 8 weeks, came home to most of my groundcover Ivy and back (well established) hedges brown and appear dying. Almost looks like they w...
Knowledgebase
Dying Ivy and scrubs #829562
Asked May 11, 2023, 5:22 PM EDT
I have been gone 8 weeks, came home to most of my groundcover Ivy and back (well established) hedges brown and appear dying. Almost looks like they were sprayed with weed killer
Noticed this around the neighborhood (south College Heights) did something happen to cause this? Is there anything to do to revive them?
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Terry,
Welcome back! Colorado had a tough late winter/early spring. We got some moisture, but I think the browning you're seeing is linked to some rapid temperature drops we experienced earlier in the winter - things kind of "flash froze". We have seen it on boxwood, burning bush, and some other plants. These are all plants that prefer higher humidity, and I would put the English ivy into this category.
You can try to cut everything back and encourage regrowth - shrubs included. This is considered to be rejuvenation pruning and will (hopefully) stimulate new growth from the base. Or you can continue to wait and see and see if the plants push new growth. We're having a late spring and are 2-3 weeks behind "normal".
Welcome back! Colorado had a tough late winter/early spring. We got some moisture, but I think the browning you're seeing is linked to some rapid temperature drops we experienced earlier in the winter - things kind of "flash froze". We have seen it on boxwood, burning bush, and some other plants. These are all plants that prefer higher humidity, and I would put the English ivy into this category.
You can try to cut everything back and encourage regrowth - shrubs included. This is considered to be rejuvenation pruning and will (hopefully) stimulate new growth from the base. Or you can continue to wait and see and see if the plants push new growth. We're having a late spring and are 2-3 weeks behind "normal".
