Wednesday, October 6, 2010

The Fire is Out

Gentle Readers,

Those of you in the more Autumnal climes will recognize this lovely shrub:

The Burning Bush.

Not this one:






This one:

This is what my burning bush looks like every year.




Sad, but true.  Every year as Spring and Summer skip merrily on their way I always think that at least I'll have my burning bush to look at in the Fall. But it Never.Burns.
Each Fall I threaten to uproot the thing and pitch it as it is taking up valuable real estate space in my garden but then every Spring I relent and give it ONE.MORE.CHANCE.
So if any of my faithful readers has some advice on how to get my bush to burn I'll be forever grateful.

I'll leave you with a sweeter image.  These are my nasturtiums growing up my fading honeysuckle vine.

Thankfully somebodything is still burning brightly around here!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Deb,
I have two burning bushes also that don't get firey red like I was hoping. The guy at the nursery told me that the older they get, the redder they get - but mine are 11 yrs old and I'm not seeing it. They are amazing when in bloom red bloom.
At least you have something colorful to look at - I'm waiting for my mums to bloom. I planted red to match my front door.
Hope you are enjoying this beautiful fall ~
Sarah

GardenOfDaisies said...

I have a burning bush over by the garage and it turns beautifully red every autumn. I wonder if yours is the same variety of shrub, or maybe a "cousin" plant. ?? Or maybe your soil keeps it from turning, the same way that hydgrangeas are blue in some soil and pink in others. ?? Sorry I don't have an answer, just more questions.

An Urban Cottage said...

Is yours in the shade? My gardening expert says the more sun it gets, the redder it should turn. Is that possible?

Incidentally, these have been "outlawed" in Massachusetts as an invasive plant. It's illegal to sell or propogate them. Other recently banned are barberry, Norway maple and bishop weed with which you're very familiar.

Mrs. M said...

Ugh. It is no fair when the things we buy for beauty turn out to be duds. And threatening didn't work? Then I have no more ideas for you.

Makeminemidcentury said...

Can't help Deb. The ones which are 'burning' are incredible!

Don't you have to talk to plants? Are you talking to yours and encouraging it to do great things?

Great to see your garden, though.

Leslie said...

ok.. I didn't know that some burning bushes didn't turn like that should. I have had one for a few years that turns a soft orange. I though that I bought the wrong kind of bush. lol.

Shannan Martin said...

It never burns???? Scandalous! And unfair. I wish I had some advice for you... I'm hoping someone does, because you need some fi-yah in your Fall!! :)

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

I have two, that are about five years old and they. never. burn... Hope someone has some advice! Mine are in a pretty shady area, though!

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

Ahhh, but the pinkish tone is pretty. I'm not familiar with this shrub but I hope you hear of a solution.

Anonymous said...

Lighter Fluid.

Ignore my suggestion please.
-FringeGirl