MOT
It was time for the MOT and annual service of our nineteen-year-old car, so we drove it to the local garage and left it there yesterday. This morning, the garage called to inform us that the car was ready to be picked up so off we trotted to collect it.
As we were about to leave, I was shocked to notice the parlous condition of the large pyracantha bush between the dining room window and the garage door. At least a third of it had dropped its leaves and there was little evidence of new growth on a normally vigorous evergreen shrub.
I don’t know why I didn’t notice it yesterday morning. Possibly the rain concentrated my attention on getting into the dog box out of the driving wetness.
Anyway, there is much work to be done on hacking back what remains of the plant and hoping it recovers its usual glory. We planted it many years ago, and it is possible that it has outlived its span. The birds will have to feast on others of our pyracanthas. Strangely, they never seem to sample the bush by the front door, which is full of fat red berries, or the yellow-berried one at the foot of the drive.
I wonder if exhaust fumes from the car parked by the bush has contributed to its sorry state, though it seems strange that it should suddenly be affected after all these years.
I hope your plant revives. We get attached to our plants .
ReplyDeleteThank you. We do.
DeleteHope it can be revived!
ReplyDeleteHope the MOT wasn't too expensive!
MOT is never cheap but good to have done and passed. 😀
DeleteYou gassed your poor pyracantha almost to death! They grow very well here, and the birds spread the seeds very effectively. I think they are a pest species here.
ReplyDeleteHopefully a good cut back might revive it Janice - lets hope so.
ReplyDeleteWe shall see. It would be a shame to lose it altogether after so many years.
DeleteI find that often giving a well-established plant a good chop is enough to encourage growth. Here's hoping that works for your pyracantha.
ReplyDeleteShock it into life. My husband often accuses me of being a thwarted tree surgeon!
DeleteProbably the fumes over many years did some damage, but a good cut back might help. Unless there is also a problem with the roots.
ReplyDeleteIt hasn't always had a car parked in front of it. It could just be old age.
DeleteIt's not like you have been parking your car with the motor running for a long time right next to the plant, have you? I often wonder at how plants along the motorway, often in the middle strip, seem to be thriving - and they certainly get way more exhaust fumes than the shrub near your drive.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it really is approaching the natural end of its life, or there is something going on underneath that you can't see.
20 to 30 years, possibly 40 with good management is their lifespan, I've just read, so it probably is old age. It has been in place for at least 25 years.
DeleteThey do seem to just suddenly 'give up the ghost'. We had three aling the garage, two of which called it quits on life the year we bought the house. (I didnt murder them I swear but I live with the belief the species is trying to murder me.)
ReplyDeleteThose thorns are lethal, aren't they?
DeleteThat’s a poignant reminder of how even long-standing garden companions can decline suddenly
ReplyDeleteRather like people, I suppose.
DeleteI have a red one along the fence at the bottom of the garden our neighbour has a yellow one on his side of the fence, I adore them, full of bee's in the spring and birds in autumn.
ReplyDeleteI love the froth of white flowers in spring - so good for pollinators.
DeleteHope the bush has more life in it. We have lost a couple of roses recently which have been around for many years. I always wonder if it was me or nature
ReplyDeleteI suppose they do come to a natural end eventually. Sad, though.
DeleteIt's always sad to see plants not doing well. Unfortunately in my yard it happens all too often
ReplyDelete😀
DeleteI think it’s quite possible that long term exposure to exhaust fumes could have contributed to the plant’s demise. It can’t help.
ReplyDeleteIt surely doesn't help, but the exposure hasn't been excessive or sustained.
DeleteI would think you would have to be letting your car warm up a very long time day after day before it would affect any plants. It's always a shame when you lose something that you've had for so long and enjoyed so much.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's had its day!
DeleteBut there again it gives you a chance to plot different plants for the space, should you cut it down. Which is always a bonus and the chance to wander round a few nurseries or the garden centre, which hardly ever grow their own plants and just ship them in.
ReplyDeleteGarden centres are too tempting. As you say, the plants are usually bought in and look absolutely perfect.
DeleteMaybe the evergreen needs a good pruning? I hope it comes back as it looks very pretty
ReplyDeleteTime will tell, and quite soon, I think.😳
DeleteStrange how some plants just suddenly go isn’t it……..
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
It is one of life's little mysteries.
ReplyDeletePerhaps it's just the plant's life cycle??
ReplyDeleteI think that's probably the answer.
DeleteWith no other mention except to collect your car, presumedly it past the MOT.. As did ours altho ours is only 8 years old..Great feeling isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt did pass - it doesn't do much mileage per annum.
DeleteI once had a holly bush that wasn't doing well. Cutting it back did wonders.
ReplyDeleteI used to cut back the clematis hard - it always recovered.
DeleteOne of my all time favorite bushes... I wish there was a way to help yours survive, but it honestly looks like it might be a goner. I see a trip to the nursery in your near future
ReplyDeleteIt's given good service for many years, so I can't really complain.
DeleteYour car is ready to stay in our park. 19 years not bad ! Same age as Rosie. I observe with pleasure the 5 gardeners with their trucks and tools working in the park ! and there is a lot to do especially shrubs to be trimmed. Unfortunately this week it rains !
ReplyDeleteThe gardeners have to work, no matter what the weather. I'm a fair weather gardener!
ReplyDeleteI'm no expert but I doubt it's fumes. Maybe it got too wet, or too dry, or as you said it has simply lived its life. Sometimes plants get old and vulnerable to fungus and other issues.
ReplyDeleteOn balance, I think it's age that's done for it . . .
DeleteI'm glad to hear you're still driving a 19 year old car. Mine is 22, and everyone thinks I should replace it but why if it still works well? Plus there's a lot of good memories associated with that little car.
ReplyDeleteQuite. No point in replacing it if it's still giving good service. Modern cars are far too sophisticated.
DeleteThe good news is that your car is fine. -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThat's how we feel!
Delete"The Mystery of The Dying Pyracantha" by Agatha Christie. One of her most intriguing detective novels.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a best-seller, I'm sure.
DeleteI hoped your car passed its MOT and reading your reply to Chris I see it did ... good news.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Yes, all well now until next year.
DeleteHopefully you can save some of it.
ReplyDeleteI hope so, too, though I think it's probably had its day, now.
DeleteOh no! I hope it recovers. My husband completely hacked back our Rampant Jasmine plant and now it looks completely dead which gives me great sorriw!
ReplyDeleteIt's kill or cure. I've hacked clematis back to the ground before and it's recovered. Your jasmine may surprise you. 😊
ReplyDelete