A sick Syringa shrub.

This is a dwarf Syringa. Growing on clay and chalk, which is, according to the books ideal. However, for the last two years this has happened and the flowering has been poor. Any suggestions would be very welcome. Thanks.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o5/stonycoral/DSC_0003.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o5/stonycoral/DSC_0002-1.jpg

stony

 

Looks to me like it is dry.Is it sited in full sun? You say a combination of clay and chalk - maybe the subsoil isnt very good.
If it were me i would try and dig it up and plant it either elsewhere or in a pot for a while to see if it recovers - give it a good feed too. While you are at it, take a good look at the roots to check there are no " beasties" lurking there - ie vine weevil grubs etc.
Hope this helps

 

Stony, I would acidify the soil slightly by adding a few bags of sedge/dark peat.:thumb:

 

Why would you do that David?

As a matter of fact, what |I didn't say was that although it's on the soil as I described, since all our garden is about 9inches of top soil over chalk and flint (downland), I did double dig this bed originally and add quite a lot of compost and peat based stuff. I was beginning to think that that is the problem, but who knows:cnfs:
stony.

PS. thanks for the suggestions folk.

 

There is a virus which attacks Lilac. The symptoms are that the flowers and new growth look as if someone has set fire to them. If the other suggestions (and drought looks to be the more likely culprit) then it could be this virus.

 

It is in full sun, when there is any:D There has been a lot of rain, for both last and this year, and so I would think that lack of water is unlikely to be the cause. Daves suggestion of adding peat based compost might be an answer, although there as been quite a lot of mixed compost onto that bed already. Maybe it is a virus :cnfs: I will try to find out a bit more about it.
Thanks to all.
stony

 

I suggested adding peat, Stony, because you said you are on chalk so the soil could be TOO alkaline. Having seen Nick`s answer I`ve had another look at your photo`s, and the leaves DO look as if it could be Fireblight. Are the stems black and burnt looking? Another thought, has anyone been using weedkiller in the vicinity?

 

The stems are O.K and there is a lot of green leaf lower down, some of which has shrivelled brown edges to the leaves. I do live close to open pasture land but would not think that they use any chemicals on it since it's used for grazing animals. All the other plants in the bed are, and have been fine, giving a good show of flowers each year. The only weed killer that has been used by my wife, has been spot weeding of Dandelions in the lawn

Would excessive wind give damage like that? Our area is nicknamed "Windy Ridge"
stony.