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Pieris woes

BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
in Problem solving
Anyone have a lot of experience with growing this shrub?  I got one from my neighbour when they moved. It was in a not so good state then, never fed or tended to. I pruned off dead wood and replanted it giving it some acid plant food.

Things were good, it flowered and looked beautiful in the spring. Then came the full sun and the drought. I watered it twice a week with rain water giving it a good soak. It's leaves are now all crisp and brown. It is not dead, some parts underneath are not brown.

I think it is a combination of the sun (siting was wrong?) and the drought. I did some research and RHS said full sun or half shade. Hmmmm... definately think the full sun is not right. Another site said sun but not morning sun.

I intend to move it and cannot decide between a large pot on the patio where there is shade until about 3pm or putting it to the back right side of the garden where it is more sheltered and gets sun only from about mid day. I favour the last I think as the patio is raised and it gets windy there.

any thoughts?

Posts

  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    Other than blaming it on the sun/heat/drought you might check your pieris for Pieris lacebug. I lost one Pieris to that pest.
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    edited August 2018
    Oh, thanks Papi, I will.

    Checked, no sign of any pests. Here is a photo

    and a photo of it in the spring


  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    I think the soil also needs a lot of improvement in that area, although it was growing in a worse place with the neighbour lol. I will plant it digging in some extra ericacious soil and humus. Might do the trick.
  • Joyce21Joyce21 Posts: 15,489
    Both of mine are in full sun in ordinary soil.
    They can be cut fairly hard back in the spring. One of mine had it's height reduced by 4 feet and has lots of new growth sprouting from the trunk. 
    SW Scotland
  • Bee witchedBee witched Posts: 1,295
    Hi @Bijdezee,

    The young foliage can be caught by frosts in early Spring ..... might be worth bearing this in mind when you re-position your shub.

    Bee x
    Gardener and beekeeper in beautiful Scottish Borders  

    A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
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