Need plant help with rose bush, lilac, and lavendar

[Wynette]

I need some help here...actually, my brother asked me and my thumb is brown. I told him to send pics (he's in another state). Here are the pics & problem descriptions:

Rose bush - it's likely about 7 years old; it bloomed profusely the first 4 years, but not since then, though it does seem to grow nicely. This pic was taken today, bro is in Illinois. He cuts it back each year. I told him maybe it wasn't the type that needs to be cut back, and he said if he doesn't, it grow in excess of 6' - he's wanting to know why it's not blooming and what he can do to help it:

Lilac bush - seems to be dying and he doens't know why. He said it's 2 years old:

Last question is for me. I have "Russian Lavendar" - it grew really well last year (1st year I planted it) but it doens't seem to be doing anything this year. Was I supposed to cut the dead branches off?

Thanks for your feedback - it's very much appreciated!

 

[yotetrapper]

No idea on the rose.

The lilac... we had some sort of blight go through our lilacs last year. It killed one tree, and killed 90% of another. We thought the second one was dead, but this year it has a couple green sprigs on it still. Not sure what it is, but the only thing I could suggest would be spraying it with a fungicde like Daconil.

Lavender... yes, you cut back the dead wood on the lavender, as with most other perenials. You can still do it now, it should start growing up new stuff from the base.

 

[yotetrapper]

PS. I'm also in IL, and the stuff killing his lilac looks the same as ours did last year.

 

[BC_Farms]

Some rose bushes (esp non shrub roses...ike tea roses or grandifloras etc) won't grow if you prune them back incorrectly. They should be pruned on an angle above a set of 5 leaves. Otherwise if a rose bush or anything else isn't flowering it usually needs more sun and fertilizer.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

The rosebush is being cut back too far. You are only suppose to cut a third of it. Looks like he cut it back just above the ground. He needs to let it grow this year then next February needs to cut only a third of it.

Lilac looks like blight. Probably need to dig it up and start over so it doesn't spread to anythingelse.

Yes cut off the dead branches on the lavender.

 

[Wynette]

Thanks so much for all your replies - I really appreciate it, and my brother does, as well! Excellent insight & advice!!

 

[rachaelc]

The rose looks like it is really too far in the corner. It would benefit from being a little farther out so it gets rain and circulation. Where is the location of the rose? Has something else grown taller shading it out now? Does it get 6 hours of sunlight and regular fertilizer. And yes it needs some better pruning.
Some really good books at the library can help out.. Also try your Master Gardener Extension office , They are a fantastic source of free information. If they can't answer your question, they will find someone who will.
Rachael C-mother of all
master gardener in training

 

[Wynette]

Thank you, Rachel! I'll run all that past my brother.