Is my Rosemary No More?

Hello all

I Hope you are Well.

I have noticed that the Rosemary in the Back Garden, in a South Facing Border, is looking, well, Not the Best

This is how it looks as of This Morning:



Do you think it will Recover once Springs gets here?

Thanks in advance

Kevin

 

Have a little scratch at the stems, if green you are in businesses, if brown and the “ bark” of the branches is loose I am afraid it is a bin job. There does look like a bit of hope with the lower branches, you could cut off anything that is dead and it might recover. If any signs of life I wouldn’t prune anything off until the spring tho. Rosemary is not that hardy and certainly I cannot grow it outside up here in Scotland. You have had some very cold weather too over the last couple of months which your Rosemary will not have liked I am afraid but you may be able to salvage something.

 

Our Rosemary of over 40 years had been moved a number of times over the years for a variety of reasons. 2 years ago we noticed it wasn't happy but didn't move it then all brown and no leaf growth at all. So sad but Rosemary had done a marvellous job. Went out and bought a small replacement and planted it in a different position and it is amazing how quickly it has settled in and grown.
So maybe get a replacement.

 

It looks as if there's still some green growth at the bottom. I would leave it alone until spring (maybe late March or April depending on how the weather goes) then cut back any dead branches to where there is green growth showing. If you decide that would completely spoil the shape, you could replace it with a new one (or something else) then. Now is not a good time for planting anything except dormant bare-root specimens of bone-hardy deciduous trees and shrubs.

 

Hello all

Thanks for the Replies.

@JennyJB

I did not notice the Green Growth at the Bottom of the Plant, when I took the Photo I could not get as close as I would of liked so getting a Good look was not possible.

I have just been out again and, this Time, got a Closer Look and there are indeed a few Branches with Healthy Green Growth near the Bottom of the Plant.

It looks as though it is not Dead after all

I will wait until Spring and then Prune out any Dead Growth.

Thanks

Kevin

 

Hedge your bets (pun). Use a few of the lower green shoots as cuttings. Cut cleanly, strip the lower leafy bits and place in a jar of rainwater in good light. They should show root hairs in 14-21 days. Allow to grow on and then pot in to compost with sharp sand/grit. Almost the simplest shrub to grow. Expect 90% success.

 

Hello @infradig

Thanks for the Tip.

One, or more, Questions, if I may?

1. I have no Rainwater available, currently, would Water from the Water Feature be suitable?
2. Could you Please elaborate on the Compost and Sand / Grit Mix?

I am well on my way to Learning the Garden and the Plants, however, when it comes to taking Cuttings, I know Nothing

Thanks in advance

Kevin

 

!) Are you sure, have a look outside !(Its just that tap water contains chlorine- not good for plant tissue)
2)Its not critical-but a compost/sand mix is freer draining. Any gritty particle to assist, sweep roadside corners in dry weather but don't get run over!! Or you could buy a bag of sharp sand
Search sharp sand bags | Wickes.co.uk
Mix 4 parts compost: 1 part sand

 

Even if there's a bit of green quite far down, it'll take forever to regenerate. All the grey brown sticks are more or less dead and definitely need cutting off eventually, preferably in late spring.

I think it's better to start again. It looks like a young plant originally, so very easy to get drowned out by excess wet over the winter months. Make sure you have prepared the soil well to ensure it's very free draining, especially if you have a small/young plant.

 

I agree with cutting it back and let it regenerate.
One of mine in a very exposed position dies back like yours every few years with just a few green stems left at the base.
But the old root system will still be there and mine grows back quickly and strongly when it warms up.

I agree with taking some cuttings too, but I'd wait a bit until Spring growth starts on the main plant, then the cuttings will root readily.

Even if you just use damp sharp sand in the pot (a small clay pot is best if you happen to have one) with the cuttings around the edge of the pot they should root quickly if they're somewhere warm and bright.
I take cuttings around April/May.