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I have a ceonothus that is only a few years old (about 4 i think) trained against a sunny fence in well drained soil (in a sort of raised bed formed by a brick retaining wall). Until about 3 or 4 weeks ago it was doing really well, it was growing strongly and flowered nicely back in may/june. Since then however the leaves have started to turn yellow and drop off with whole branches becoming defoliated. The stems haven't died back though as they seem to be still green under the bark.

What's gone wrong? I cant imagine its become waterlogged by all the rain as the drainage is so good there. The bed its growing in isn't that deep (about 18" soil above chalk), but then i didn't think they needed that good soil and i have grown them successfully on chalk before. There is an Aucuba japonica growing next to it which might be causing root competition but the plants have been growing happily together for some time with no problem before so cant think that is the cause.

I am mystified. can anyone help please. Will the plant recover or is it the end?

Ceonothus can sometimes object to being pruned by dying back. you say it's a trained shrub does that mean it's getting pruned?

Quote from: Linnea on September 02, 2012, 22:09:10
Ceonothus can sometimes object to being pruned by dying back. you say it's a trained shrub does that mean it's getting pruned?

Pruned only lightly to shape.I know not to cut them too hard.

 Have a look at the base of your plant, at and just about soil level. With a sharp knife, try to winkle off a piece of bark . If the tissue just below the bark is brown, try to look for a white mycelium under the bark. If this smells of mushroom, your problem is likely to be caused by an Armillaria species. Otherwise known as Honey Fungus or the Bootlace Fungus. It is very common in most soils. What was once thought of as a single species, now with the modern DNA sequencing techniques has been revealed to be a myriad of species all of which vary in their pathogenicity.
   The most common symptom is sudden death of the shrub/tree.

They are not a long lived shrub/tree and I expect the extreme weather we have been having has shortened it's life even more. We  do not use them in any of our clients gardens as they can leave a big hole in the design when they pop their clogs. I had  lovely tree for ten years in my garden then it just gave up and died in a matter of weeks, although I do have one with white flowers that is very healthy at the moment in another part of the garden which I shall miss when it goes.