What to do about my Sea Holly?

[GardenGeisha]

My sea holly is in a large pot and has bloomed beautifully the past several years, probably at least 5 years? How long does sea holly live? Yesterday I was shocked to notice it looked very bad, wilty. Some of the leaves were totally dried up. A leaf at the base looks fine, but the main stalk which had a bud on it, was all shriveled and has brown at the bottom. It appears to have come detached from the base to quite an extent. The plant looked smashed. I'm wondering whether a cat could have reclined on the plant and crushed it, tearing the main stalk almost off the plant. But I don't know why some of the leaves would have dried up? I understand these are difficult to transplant, due to their long taproot. Is there any chance the sea holly might produce more leaves this season and flowers, or is it too late? Is it possible the plant will survive, without blooming this year, and go on to bloom next year? How should I care for it? Should I cut off the nearly detached stalk? Fertilize the plant? Could it be dying of old age? I loved this plant and am heartsick about its sad appearance. I'm in Utah. It hasn't been that hot here yet, and this plant has always thrived where its been, in partial shade.

 

[GardenGeisha]

Could the plant have gotten too dry? I don't recall having to water it much this early in the season in prior years, though it has been warmer here earlier this year than in past years.

 

[baymule]

What's a sea holly? Got pictures?

 

[Smart Red]

My first answer to your question of what do to about your sea holly was to suggest you send it to me. Pretty plant and one that I don't have. . . yet.

Other than that, I don't know much about them. They grow see holly at the Rotary Gardens and I enjoy perusing the gardens often.

I might suggest -- since it is already growing in a pot -- that you take it out and repot it with fresh soil. It may be potbound after all those years so any water you do apply would run right through the pot.

 

[GardenGeisha]

It's in a huge pot, so I don't think it could be rootbound, but it's a good idea. I am afraid to disturb its taproot, however. The experts say it hates being disturbed/transplanted.

 

[GardenGeisha]

Smart Red, here is some sea holly for you (in better times):

 

[GardenGeisha]

Oops. That is the Missouri primrose, not the sea holly. Isn't it a gorgeous shade of yellow, though?

 

[catjac1975]

I do not know anything about sea Holly. However some plants behave more like biennial. I am thinking of lupines, foxholes, and hollyhocks.They can bloom for years and then one year it starts dying form the center. Sounds like what you are describing. Hope you saved some seed just in case.

 

[GardenGeisha]

Thanks, catjac. Could be. But it started out so promising looking and then all of a sudden... I read that it usually blooms for years and years? Smart Red, I am sending you my Sea Holly, herewith. Baymule this is it. Isn't it gorgeous?

 

[baymule]

Very pretty!