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Is stuff still growing?

jamesharcourtjamesharcourt Posts: 465
in Plants
I know temperatures have dropped a little - and days have shortened - but average U.K. temperatures down here in Sussex had been consistently over 10 degrees for a while hitting 15+ with good sun on lots of days, deep into October ... is stuff still growing despite losing leaves?   

Thinking of newly planted climbers and trees and shrubs like choisya, magnolia and acers all planted in the last 3-6 months ...?
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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Newly planted shrubs and trees will become dormant like anything else, but will continue to establish whenever conditions are suitable. As long as they have sufficient water and nutrients when planted, and then enough watering if ground is dry, they'll just go into dormancy as they should.  :)
    What exactly are you worried about, James? 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Most of those listed are going dormant now. The magnolia is building itself up ready to produce flowers next spring, and the acer depends which type but most will slow for winter, if they are in pots make sure they are out of the cold wind and not too wet.
  • jamesharcourtjamesharcourt Posts: 465
    Fairygirl said:
    Newly planted shrubs and trees will become dormant like anything else, but will continue to establish whenever conditions are suitable. As long as they have sufficient water and nutrients when planted, and then enough watering if ground is dry, they'll just go into dormancy as they should.  :)
    What exactly are you worried about, James? 
    What AREN'T I worried about when it comes to the garden :-)

    Seriously though, I guess if stuff is newly planted and maybe hasn't put down too much in the way of new roots yet ... will the dormancy make them more susceptible when the cold weather and savage winds of Christmas hit?
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Only if they are planted out in the open with no protection (for the acers) otherwise they should continue to build roots over winter and be stronger and ready for spring.
  • jamesharcourtjamesharcourt Posts: 465
    If by protection you mean near some structures or other plants that would shield them from the harshest of winds, then yes ... but they are in the ground ... most have been there at least a couple of months ... some since mid summer or spring ... but none are particularly exposed ... there are fences and taller trees near-ish by which means they don't get the worst of the wind ... but would get covered with snow for instance ... and would be affected by frost, i guess ...
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Wind is more of a problem than cold so they should be fine, they have been in long enough to settle in and unless the winter is as unusual as the summer has been should be ok. Only thing to watch is if we have a dry winter as they will need to be kept moist not wet for at least another six months yet.😀
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - purplerallim is right - wind/exposure is more of an issue than anything. It also depends on the size of shrubs/trees. Bigger, more mature ones are top heavy if newly planted, so they need proper support and/or staking etc. If there's reasonable shelter for them, they should all be fine. The acer is probably the most vulnerable, so you'll have to make a judgement on that.
    There should be enough autumn/winter rain now to keep them moist, unless they have an overhanging tree or something to prevent rain getting through, or if you're in a very dry part of the country. Just keep an eye on them. 
    Snow isn't an issue unless it's lying heavily on evergreen branches, or any young, soft growth. The Choisya would be the one to watch in particular, as it's evergreen and soft. If it gets a lot of snow on it, just go and brush it off regularly to prevent branches and stems breaking. I have to do that on things like Phormiums and Fatsia, as they get quite laden. Fleshy plants in particular can suffer a bit, or things like conifers. If it's only a couple of inches of snow, there's no need to worry  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    They will eventually slow down and you should not worry too much about them unless you feel prep work was not sufficient enough when originally planted out.

    Tree and shrub care is more about watering enough during hot and dry spells. Once you get into October, it should be a time you can relax more. Younger plants establish better when the temperatures are stable in the soil. The best way is to mulch around the base to keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

    With the wind, most deciduous stuff will be unaffected, it's just the evergreens that can sometimes get wind damage in winter, but again, not really in your control. They normally recover when spring arrives.
  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
    edited October 2018
    I've taken out a lot of the summer bedding/tender plants in preparation for mulching which is a pity as most of it was still going.

    Osteospermum, French Lavender, African Marigolds, Lupins all flowering strongly and even a Foxglove. 

    One of my Lavender Hidcote plants even has one solitary new flower.
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    I have delphinium, mini mums and geraniums all in flower. Even the roses haven't finished. 
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