die back
Plants shrink winterward
Die back describes the gradual death of plant growth from the tips inward, often due to disease, frost, or drought: The roses died back after the first hard freeze.
Gardeners expect some plants to die back seasonally, returning from the roots in spring.
As a noun, dieback names this process or the disease causing it.
Lose vigor, sag
- dormancySuspended biological activity
- senescenceGradual functional decline with age
- defoliationLoss of foliage
- desiccationComplete removal of moisture
perennials · shrubs · overwintering · hardiness · frostbite · scorch · yellowing · stunting
Plant disease causing decay
- cankerUlcerous sore or blight
- necrosisLocalized cell death
- phytophthoraPlant-attacking oomycete genus
- mildewFungus from dampness
rot · fungus · pathogen · infestation · chlorosis · root rot · damping-off · infection
wilt
Lose vigor, sag
- dormancySuspended biological activity
- senescenceGradual functional decline with age
- defoliationLoss of foliage
desiccation · perennials · shrubs · overwintering · hardiness · frostbite · scorch · yellowing · stunting · leaf drop
wither
Dry and decay
wane · recede · retreat · dwindle · taper · subside · atrophy · deteriorate · weaken · fail
blight
Plant disease causing decay
- cankerUlcerous sore or blight
- necrosisLocalized cell death
- phytophthoraPlant-attacking oomycete genus
mildew · rot · fungus · pathogen · infestation · chlorosis · root rot · damping-off · infection · wilting