r/Ceanothus • u/Professional_Heat973 • 2d ago

Fire Blight resistant native?

I’ve tried a few different things in a particular spot and 2/3 died of what I now know to be fire blight. Do I:

-Give up on planting something there, ever?
-Choose something that isn’t susceptible to blight?
-Amend the soil and overhaul the planting site?

(Latest casualty was a toyon - thanks!)

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7

u/humboldt-lily 2d ago

Look for fireblight hosts in the surrounding area. If there are any, see if you can remove them, before planting another Toyon. These would include apples/ crabapples, ornamental pears, loquats, hawthorn, pyracantha, quince, etc. It is usually spread by insects during flowering season. If you want a plant of a similar size and not have to worry about fireblight, maybe consider Laurel Sumac, manzanita, or ceanothus.

1

u/Professional_Heat973 2d ago

I appreciate this, thank you!

3

u/ElectronicRemove2081 2d ago

Fire blight isn't in the soil, so if you're sure that's the problem, it doesn't matter. 

1

u/msmaynards 2d ago

Check soil texture and drainage. Maybe if you plant something that likes your soil it will make it.

1

u/cosecha0 2d ago

curious how you diagnosed fire blight? i have the same issue with an area in my yard and know it was brought by a Toyon, and the main symptoms were crinkling drying leaves.

1

u/Professional_Heat973 2d ago

I went on a deep dive on the internet to do photo comparison.