"Janet Baraclough.." wrote in
message ...
The message
from Chris Hogg contains these words:

We have one of these, about four years old, six feet high and
wide.
I've just noticed that several large patches have recently died or
are
dying (at least half the total), mostly in the centre, although
there's life in other parts with fresh growth around the edge.
It's
shedding quantities of fluffy seed ATM.

I'm a bit surprised. Is sudden dieback a feature of this plant,
does
anyone know?

It's a lovely shrub IMO, and if it dies completely I'll replace it
with another and hope that does better.

It's gorgeous isn't it? I don't know if they are subject to sudden
die
back, because mine's only been in for a year or so. I haven't even
tried
cutting it back hard yet.

I'd take some cuttings in case the parent plant is terminally ill.

Janet, I have always been advised never to take cuttings from an
unhealthy plant.

The
good news is that cuttings are as easy to root as fuchsia. Just pull
off
some bits about finger length; slip off the bottom leaves between
your
fingers (I use rooting powder for luck, cue for big thread...Hi
Jane...)

Now you tell us, when this is the year I resolved to try and raise my
cuttings without rooting aids.

and stick half a dozen in a pot of gritty compost, outdoors.

Franz