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Dying rhododendron and other unhappy plants

helensarah.edwardshelensarah.edwards Posts: 7
in Problem solving
Hello all

Our rhododendron is suddenly looking seriously ill. Drooping brown leaves, shrivelled, it seriously looks almost dead. Other well established shrubs and plants around it are looking pretty unhappy too.

Picture attached.

It previously looked glorious and we would love to save it. Also worried that other things nearby are starting to look sick. Any ideas?

Many thanks!
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Posts

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Looks very dry.
    Is it in acid soil?
    I don't think it is a goer.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • helensarah.edwardshelensarah.edwards Posts: 7
    It's not in acid soil but it has been watered with rain water only really regularly.
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    They really need to be in a neutral to acidic soil. They dont like full sun so a shaded or semi shaded position is best and generous watering especially if your soil is free draining. 

    Yours looks a gonner, sorry. 😔. The other plants that are dying around it - can you tell us more about them plz? Maybe more photos. 
  • helensarah.edwardshelensarah.edwards Posts: 7
    Thing is, it has never looked like this before. It's been there years and looked better each year we've had it. Photo attached is from May this year. It's always been watered with rainwater as regularly as needed and is in shade
    Other plants incl a bay tree, Japanese anemone and fatsia japonica are all looking sick, dropping leaves and have brown spots and fungus on leaves.

    The other picture attached shows leaves on the floor from the next shrub. There are leaves on there with a strange, very regular dark spot pattern

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    If that was my bed I'd remove all those leaves for hygene's sake...but can't stop thinking this is due to lack of water all the plants mentioned thrive with consistent moisture. Rhododendrons are also very slow to show that they have been underwatered as I found out myself early this spring when one of mine threw a strop and had quite a bit of die back. So this severe reaction may be related to lack of water three months ago.
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    As @amancalledgeorge says - all those plants need a lot of moisture.
    When you water - just how much were you giving them?
    In dry weather, they'd need a bucketful at a time - probably most days if you don't have suitable conditions, ie regular rain and moisture retentive soil.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • helensarah.edwardshelensarah.edwards Posts: 7
    We devote our rainbutt to the rhododendron so it gets a good soaking, we are well up on watering so I dont think it is that. We grow tomatoes in pots and never get blossom end rot as we water the whole garden regularly unless its raining (and even then with pots obviously). Other plants struggling are fuchsia, acanthus and hellebore, none of which i think are especially thirsty?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    One waterbutt would get used up pretty quickly just on that rhodo alone, so unless you get a lot of rain [which would make regular watering less necessary anyway] I doubt there's enough water for using for it, especially if you're in a drier area. They suffer badly if they don't get water at certain times as @amancalledgeorge says. This time of year is particularly important for bud formation, and also in spring. Many people's gardens were struggling with drought conditions this spring. 
    Fuchsias need moisture, and so do acanthus and hellebores, so if the ground isn't water retentive, they could be struggling. The density of planting is also a factor. The more plants you have close together, the more water they'll use up. 
    Mulching is also necessary, and highly beneficial, if you don't have moisture retentive soil.

    You don't need rainwater though, for any of those other plants. Tap water is fine.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    It looks as if there is a lot of gravel worked into the soil, something rhodedendrons would not appreciate. Also, what is going on the other side of the fence?
    Because you have a variety of plants suffering it does look as if the drought and very hot weather we had early in the year has affected them. Established shrubs can take several months to show draught distress, especially if they have been given a small amount of water.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think it's dead foliage you're seeing @Joyce Goldenlily  :)
      
    Fine gravel is actually very useful for rhodos in heavy soils . Although they like plenty of moisture, and are shallow rooted, they also need good drainage. 
    This is also why watering is a big factor. Light watering does more harm than good. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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