Spring is finally here, but if some of your garden plants still look lifeless after winter, don’t give up on them just yet. While some plants leap back into growth at the first sign of sunshine, others stay stubbornly bare well into spring, making it hard to tell whether they are dead or simply dormant.
That is where many gardeners get it wrong. 'The mistake a lot of people make is assuming their plant is long gone when actually it is just dormant at this time of year,' says Nick Wood, plant and garden expert at Gardening Express.
Before you throw out a struggling hydrangea or deciduous tree, try the quick ‘bark test’ first. This simple check takes seconds and can tell you whether your plant is still alive or whether it really is time to let it go.
All you need to do is gently scrape away a little of the outer bark with clean secateurs or even your fingernail. If the layer underneath is green and slightly moist, the plant is still alive and should recover as temperatures rise. If it is brown and dry, the plant may be dead.
That said, one brown patch does not necessarily mean your plant is dead. Many plants die back in certain areas while staying healthy elsewhere, which is why it is important to check more than once.
'You should always test a small area first and move gradually down the stem if needed, as plants can sometimes die back at the tips but remain healthy lower down and new growth may still develop,' explains Nick.
It is also worth knowing that not all healthy plants reveal a bright green layer beneath the bark. In some species, including conifers, the inner layer can appear milky white or even slightly brown.
If you are unsure, check what is typical for your specific plant before making a final decision.
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