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Re: No restraint whatsoever

Susan,

> I have a lilac (syringa vulgaris) 'Edward
> Gardner,' (pink, if it makes a difference, which I
> doubt) and for the last two years the stem tips
> and leaves have blackened and wilted, including
> most of the flowers, around blooming time. 
> The first year we had a late frost and I
> attributed it to this.  This year we had a lot of
> rain, but warm weather, and it happened again. 
> 
> What is this and how can I prevent it
> organically?  I have 3 other lilacs in my yard
> and this does not happen to them.

This sounds like it could be Ascochyta Blight of Lilac- a fungal blight
caused by Ascochyta syringae, according to "Diseases of Trees and Shrubs"
by Sinclair, Llyon and Johnson.  Spread, primarily by rain splash.  Disease
spores overwinter on bud scales.  As far as organic cures, I know of none,
other than removal, immediately, of affected branches (with sterilization
of secateurs between cuts).  A fungicide would likely be effective, but not
organic.  
> 
> Last question (for now).  Ampelopsis brev....
> 'Elegans' (I dare anyone WITHOUT help from
> a book to remember that spelling!).  My plant
> is about 2 years old.  I lost an earlier one in a
> bad winter.  For the last two years it has come
> back from the roots, gets about 5-6', doesn't
> berry or flower, and then dies back again in the
> winter.  I was sure it was hardy enough for my
> zone.  Are they slow starters?  I don't remember
> reading anywhere it is dioecious.  It is in some
> shade, which I thought it liked.  It gets morning
> sun and then several hours of late hot sun. 
> Any suggestions?

Well, I grow mine in almost total shade - up a post supporting the roof of
a covered walk with about a foot roof overhang. Mine sprouts the full
length  of the vine in spring, except for odd tendrils that die back
completely and are pruned off in spring.  I've had it for probably 10
years.  I didn't find mine a slow starter, if I remember correctly,
although I don't think it bloomed or berried the first year in the ground,
but it's not really fast to leaf out in spring - not one of the early ones.
 The only thing I've noticed about this vine that's the least odd is that
it does have a tendency to revert to all green.

Now, Dirr says it's hardy from zones 4-8, so it surely should be hardy for
you.  He also says that the species fruits better in full sun and that
'Elegans' is not as vigorous as the species.  

Is yours, perhaps, in a site exposed to harsh winter winds?  The hot
afternoon sun really shouldn't be causing winter die back to the ground. 
My best guess is that the location in some way makes it vulnerable in
winter, causing the die back to the root, which in turn means it spends all
its energy putting on growth and has none left for fruiting.  Plus, it may
be this vine needs to develop a certain woody mass before it will flower
and fruit and since yours is dieing back to the ground each year, it isn't
making enough growth in one year to get the needed mass.  I've never pruned
mine back hard, so I don't know if this is so.

Others may have more information on these questions, but this is my 2 cents
FWIW.

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
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