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Clethra Ruby Spice...when to give up

Posted by ginkgonut 4 (My Page) on
Sat, Sep 6, 08 at 10:17

Perhaps I just need some encouragement to get the shovel out. Given that I have a city lot in Minneapolis, I don't have room to spare for underperformers. I just can't bring myself to rip out two perfectly healthy plants, unless someone wants to come rescue them.

A little background: Planted in Fall 2003, full sun after noon, adequately watered because they are surrounded by Endless Summers (which are gorgeous), grows fine and look perfectly healthy. In 5 years they have maybe made 30 flowers total. This year there was one. I have never pruned them. Add on top of that their liability that they are extremely slow to leaf out in the spring and I think I am done.

Anyone else had or have underperforming clethra or do they just not like their spot for whatever reason? Any varieties seem to perform better than others?


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Clethra Ruby Spice...when to give up

Well, I planted Ruby Spice in spring of 99'. My experience was pretty much the same as yours. I did try adding soil sulfur to acididfy the soil. That helped a little and they looked marginally better. On a good year I might get 4 blooms per shrub. They just never seemed to grow. After 9 years they were pretty much the same size as when I planted them. This spring I finally had enough and out they went.


 
 

 

 


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