The Garden Community for Garden Lovers
 
bernard

By Bernard

Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom Gb

This young shrub (2 years old) which I believe is Eleagnus pungens 'Maculata' is busy putting on new growth but I have noticed that all the new leaves are totally green. I believe that in order to preserve the variegation it is advised that all non-variegated leaves should be removed, otherwise the shrub will lose its variegation. It did occur to me though that since all the new growth is green, maybe this is normal for the plant and variegation develops later. My secateurs will therefor stay in my pocket until I have the benefit of advice from the GoY experts because I think it's a distinct possibility that this behaviour might be normal for this plant and pruning it now might be a big mistake.
Over to you, folks



Eleagnus_pungens_maculata_with_new_green_leaves

Answers

 

New leaves on this shrub usually come through gold coloured, if anything, then develop variegation later on as they get bigger. These leaves are quite large and I'd have expected the variegation to be showing by now. Check whether they all originate from one point or branch and if they do, cut that branch out. If the branches are coming from all over, and in particular, if they're coming off branches which are variegated, leave them and wait and see if they colour up.

5 May, 2011

 

Yes agree with Bamboo, i have one and all the new growth comes through this way and will gain the central yellow splash as the season goes on, later in the year look for signs of reversion, and cut these out as far back to where they begin as possible, julien.

5 May, 2011

 

Mine too produces silvery leaves that slowly emerge to the gold and green pattern as the season passes.

I find that any all-green leaves always come from a separate side shoot near the bottom.

6 May, 2011

 

Most of the new growth is sprouting from the ends of existing stems that already have variegated leaves on them. The really weird thing is that some of the new leaves are sprouting from the same node as an existing leaf.
I've taken a picture, but can't think of a way to add it to this question, so I've posted another question entitled 'This young shrub part 2'
Hope this helps.

6 May, 2011

How do I say thanks?

Answer question

 


Not found an answer?