HEBE

[Hypatia Nachshon]

I am a big fan of Hebe, esp. "Wiri Blush". Have them all over the garden.

Here's the weird thing, for example: Three in a bed; two will die and the other flourish. Has happened several times. They all get the same conditions. This happens sometimes a year or two after planting.

Can one plant be inherently "feeble" and another not?

HB

[Fran Farmer]

:-)) I'm a big hebe hater. I don't know why I dont'liek them but I never have done.

Can't answer that one.

[Amos Nomore]

Could be. Have you considered propagating the survivors via cuttings? I hear it is easy with hebes.

[Hypatia Nachshon]

You raise a question I've been battling with.

I want to propagate a lovely white azalea that is sprawling all over. My g ardener assures me it can't be done. There are enough low-growing branches that need pruning anyway, so I'm willing to try. BUT I have never underst ood cutting vs twisting. The former is supposed to be a no-no, but why? I' ve tried to do research on-line but not fpund answers.

So I'm asking you & other kind NG members for input on cutting vs twisting, both for the surviving Hebe and for the azalea.

TIA

HB

[Brooklyn1]

Azaleas are one of the easiest shrubs to propagate by layering. Don't prune those low growing branches, press a section into the ground and place a rock over it, in a month roots will grow, then prune and replant. You need a new gardener, one whose not really a toilet janitor.

[Hypatia Nachshon]

Very exciting! Not sure I'll have room where the plant is located right near a concrete path, but it's worth a try. Now, would someone speak on the "cutting vs twisting" question. Really curious and can't find info.

HB