It died off very quickly when summer hit. Now we need to replace them. This is a picture of the main bush and it's stem/leaves/flower. Originally the leaves are green and it looks like a green bulby bush when fully grown.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...anus/Plant.jpg
Does anyone know what type it is? Or more specifically, anyone know any nursaries in Western Australia that sells them?
Welcome KevinBacon.
Sadly I cannot id your shrub from your pics.
However, I do not think it is a good idea to replace them.... if you plan to replant in the same space.
Especially as you do not know why they die.
It would have been exceptionally hot and very dry in a border so near to that wall/house. Maybe the roots dried out.
I would replace them with something from your local garden centre that takes severe draught and heat.
Ask for their advice. They should be very helpful.
Sadly we actually have to replace them with the exact plants. Our real estate agent has no idea what they are or where they got them (sigh) and apparently it is our fault they died off due to a irrigation malfunction.
So far local retailer/warhouse associated nurseries have none of the plant, so we are stumped to find out what type it is.
From the looks of it, especially as the neighbours also experienced the same problem, the plant just cannot survive a summer without constant watering. We had to quite literally half-flood our beds to get them to stay green, they finally dying off when we stopped (because of water restrictions). Our neighbours did the same, the plants dying off when they stopped.
If anyone has even the family name or can think of a plant similiar it would be of great help, even if you can't ID it specifically.
I would recommend lavender grosso
http://www.google.com/search?q=laven...da709d28d6ead8
Kevin, this is obviously a worry to you.
In todays age where water is such a very precious commodity, it makes no sense to have plants that need constant watering to keep them alive. It is immoral.
As no one can even tell you what they were , you cannot hope to replace like with like.... even IF you could find someone selling them.
What can they possibly do to you if you replace them with a plant more suitable for the space and the climate. ( Get proper advice from a local horticultural person.)
It is crazy.
If you have further trouble I recommend you get your local paper to highlight the crazyness of it. I bet lots of locals will come forward to support you and make the Real Estate Agent see common sense.
Good luck.
Tell me about it. The water useage just to keep it alive, let alone prospering, was ridiculous. But none the less it's up to our landlord as it came with the house. The same type or veeery similar is what is required and not to do so can cost us the house.
Luckily we're not, even remotely, planning to water it the amount it (apparently) needs if we find it and replace it. It's going right back to the drip system, with hand watering on designated watering days that were just a little too hot. Though with winter coming it won't be a problem.
Digging out the bed, checking the soil and making sure that if it happens again it will be well documented that we had no part in the plants dying off and we shall show our landlord next time he demands we fix an unfeasible problem.
Also, does anyone know any horticultural search sites that will allow an email questionnaire I can send the picture with? So far all the plant sites/encyclopedias have restricted or dead end description search procedures.
backyardgardener, that type can somewhat be formed into what we're looking for. But not quite. Thanks anyway, ill keep looking.