Is it Alive?

[Terrysmyorange]

Please can anyone tell me if my plant has given up. There are some green bits on it but not much and it's very brown and fragile. Attached picture

Of you snap one of the stems, is it brown all the way through, or green at all? And is that new growth at the very bottom - I think I can see two small green leaves?

It's been a funny spring weather-wise, so don't give up hope yet. Keep it watered too. We've had no rain to speak of for weeks here.

Are those leaf buds on the tips? Keep watering it.

The stems are green through, so I'm hoping that's a good sign. The growth underneath is sadly a weed

You could give it a top dressing of compost, just to give it a boost.

Yes some lead buds but not many. I will add some compost to help it. Thanks for all the advice so far. I've had it nearly 10 years so I'm glad there is still hope

Yeah definitely some compost on top. Make it feel loved

How do the stems feel? Do they feel firm and slightly flexible? If you scrape at the stem coat/bark, can you see any green colour underneath?

If I'm not certain if a plant is still dormant or has given up the ghost, I'll try that on a sample. The ends of the twigs may be brown and brittle which isn't a problem but if the larger branches feel wizened it has possibly died.

Chances are, if it's survived ten winters already it's likely to have survived another. Some plants take a long time to wake up in spring (looking at you, Hibiscus...)

Yes my Hibiscus and Salvias look as dead as Dodos, but they are bendy and have little bud like bits.
OP what is your plant?

@TheNoodlesIncident the stems feel slightly bendy and firm. Also there is some green when scrape at the bark.

I have added lots more rich compost on the advice of the others so I guess it's just a waiting game.

That sounds nicely positive! There isn't much nutrition in compost - there is some but not a lot, not enough for the whole growing season - so I'd want to give it a feed in its water as well.

@Beebumble2 I think the prolonged spell of sunshine has brought them on apace, my Hibiscus is usually still asleep at this point but this year it's got its leaf buds out early. Still looks like a bundle of grey twigs mind, especially compared to its leafy bedmates...

@Beebumble2 it's a Rhododendron bush with pink flowers.
I'm sure I can get some specialist plant food for it.

Hmm, I would expect a rhododendron to be showing signs of growth by now, although some deciduous types are slower.
As you’ve had it for several years, I presume it’s in ericaceous compost. Nothing lost in giving it more time.

Yes I have put it in specialist compost and have topped it up yesterday. I've ordered some food too.

That was my concern, as my other smaller Rhododendrons have started to come to life
I will keep positive though

Don’t feed it until it’s back to growing with some enthusiasm. Plant food can be too much for a sick plant