This could be the last time ...

What a shame. Mine froze in the winter of 2010/11 and split the bark. the dead wood lasted 3 yrs with a clem through it but it did collapse in the end. but as you say a new planting opportunity.

it is a beautiful shrub, sad to see it go too.

It looks so beautiful! I wonder if it's a 'Swansong'. The wound looks really nasty. I think they are fairly short-lived shrubs, so never mind.

Ladies, I just looked back at a couple of photos of this shrub on my garden page and a GoY member (Cinderella) wrote that one she had grew so big that it pulled the fence over!

The variety is Paget Blue. Beneath it I have a Ligustrum 'Lemon & Lime' growing so that will appreciate the light when the Ceanothus has gone!

A beautiful photo of it, that you will always have!

Such a shame you may have to get rid of it Shirley.It's so lovely.I didn't have much luck with the one I had,but soon forgot about it,when I planted something new .I'm sure you will feel the same..x

That's very sad. The bees will miss it. Anybody know if you can replant with one on the same site? Iurs is getting on towards 20 so doesn't have a very good prospect! Just wondering - re the Q abut the pear tree on the questions page - could you try air layering it?

That’s a pity, I love ceanothus. The flowers are so vivid as you say, the bees really love it! I’ve a couple in the garden, they are several years old, I’d miss them if they succumbed to disease or damage.

What a shame. As an evergreen it might be heavy in winter and break completely.

Such a shame and its a great dispaly too I had mine dug out because it was filled with bindweed from the church every one loved it so you are loosing a treasure . . Have you thought what will replace it.

Oh what a shame! It looks so beautiful as well. I have had mine a little under 10years and it's just coming into flower. A neighbour I used to have had one for years and it became enormous and looked fantastic when it was in bloom. So I suppose there is no hard and fast rule on how long they last. At least when the garden centres re-open you can have the pleasure of browsing for something to replace it.

Thats a shame Shirley. I was told that they only live about 10 years. Will you be able to get the root out so that you can put something in its place ?

I enjoyed reading all your comments and suggestions, thanks so much.

Tomorrow I shall try to unscramble the Clematis, bet it snaps though! If it stays intact I have an obelisk it can twine around. We have decided to leave the Ceanothus in situ until the flowers have faded, then it's going to be dug out.

As for a replacement, something evergreen, needs to be attractive to Bees and ,for a complete change, something with yellow flowers! It is an East facing border so gets sun up until about mid afternoon in the height of Summer.

Suggestions welcomed ... :o))

its always sad to lose a shrub especially one as beautiful as this ..... :o(

I have gradually lost all of mine but I guess they did me proud for many years so can't grumble, my last has one only died this past winter, it was the best its ever been last year so guess Karen is right about its Swansong, I daren't try and remove mine yet as it's growing up the fence that needs repairing, another job that is waiting for us to regain our freedom, our jobs are piling up but my garden is lovely, lol......

I love Ceanothus! I know of several gardens here that have made hedges of them! They are alive with bees & the scent is so powerful it can be smelt from the other side of the street!

I know of one that used to grow up the side wall of a house, must have been well over 10ft high. I used to pass it on my way to work quite frequently. I don't know if it still exists as I no longer go that way. I finished work 12 years ago! (During the economic crisis of 2008).

Such a shame Shirley, it looks lovely, just enjoy it as long as you can, nice to see the photinia at the back in flower.

Amy, some plants really make an impact don't they? Never mind, this one has given us some years of pleasure.

Oh Sue, not only is there a grocery list on the fridge, there's also one for the garden centre! Potting grit all gone, compost too, need some Tomato plants and a Growbag to plant them in. OH is going to see if the supermarket have any later in the week. I'm getting withdrawal symptoms from not walking around a plant nursery or garden centre ... :o(

Balcony, that must have been a wonderful sight.

Julien, I managed to untwine the Clematis from the Ceanothus today by cutting off some of the branches. As it will be removed at some point I didn't feel too guilty! There are many Photinias around here in flower now, the one in my neighbours garden is looking good.

Shirley Suttons are still sending out plants but there is a long waiting list.

Stera, managed to buy two Growbags and a bag of compost at a farm shop today. Then found out a local plant nursery are doing deliveries and/or a click and collect service so have ordered six Tomato plants ... hooray!

Lucky you! I emailed my local one and they didn't even reply!

Perhaps they have been inundated with requests?

Our local B&M has Growbags and Compost, but don't know if they deliver.

Waddy, I have noticed many family run nurseries are offering either delivery or pay and collect, or both, at the moment. I hope to collect some Tomato plants later today. Whoever would have thought this would be happening? :o((

Good luck I hope you get what you want x

I did! Two Grow bags plus six Tomato plants all put in the car boot, paid for them over the phone by card two days earlier. Great service and great plants ... one happy customer here!

:) :)