Hi Jooooel,
Warm welcome to the forum.
Your shrub does look pitiful. DITTO Marlingardener - if your shrub is showing new growth and has green stems then it is still viable.
Start at the outer most tips of the stems and do a scratch test every 6". If the stems are green from the tip then stop. If you encounter brown, dry stems continue scratching until you reach green wood. Snip off the brown stem just above a leaf node in green wood.
I am shocked by the total defoliation of your shrub. That was either an ENORMOUS insect infestation or something else is going on.
9 out of 10 times this kind of damage is soil related.
A few questions for you.
- do you know what plant it is?
- does it bloom?
- do you have pictures from when it was healthy?
- what is your soil like? Is it loose and loamy with good drainage or is it heavy clay that does not drain?
This is the impression from an Amateur Plant Detective.
Clues:
You have just come out of a rainy season.
The insects and the damage occurred during the rainy season.
The weather has dried up.
The plant is showing new growth
Conclusion:
The insects are a secondary issue.
Your soil is heavy clay and does not drain well.
Your shrub is suffering from root rot as a result of too much water.
Depending on the amount of damage to the root system you may or may not be able to salvage your plant. I really wish I knew what it is.
You can dig it up with a HUGE root ball. Expand the hole by 3 or 4 X's. Seriously - back breaking digging. Use a garden fork to punch holes in the walls and base of the hole. Amend the soil with lots of compost and very course mason sand. Inspect the roots of your shrub. It is OK to wash some of the soil off of the roots. If you find mushy or tightly wrapped roots trim them off. Replant your shrub. Give it a gentle soaking every other day for a week. Then 3 times per week for 2 weeks. After that 1" of water per week should be sufficient.
Best of luck to you. Looking forward to hearing more from you.
