The Cotinus comes back

Latest post from MARKSVEGPLOT – a blog about food and gardening in England”

Last year my Cotinus tree (“Royal Purple”) appeared to have died – or nearly so. Opinions about the cause varied from simple lack of water to the deadly Verticillium Wilt, and I don’t know who was right. All I can say is that my tree is definitely not dead. The parts that were most badly desiccated have yet to show any new growth, but elsewhere the tree is putting out lots of new shoots. I am using this as an excuse to post some photos!

As the sap rises, these little shoots are appearing further and further up the main trunk. Let’s hope they go all the way!

At present, the tree is “a game in two halves”, as they say. One side is full of new leaf, the other is progressing more slowly.

This is what healthy young Cotinus leaves look like. Seeing this, I think you will understand why I was so keen that this tree should survive.

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