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Sad plants 😥

marianogodoymarianogodoy Posts: 7
in Problem solving
Hello group!

I'm new to the forum and gardening in general so apologies for the tremendous ignorance!

I had a gardener around to plant some plants and they are looking rather sad. I have added fresh compost, top soil and mulch, and water them once a day. 

What am I doing wrong? Am I over watering or underwatering? More food required? Any tips appreciated! Some pics of the plants in question. 

Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Hello Marian, welcome to the forum  :)
    My first question would be, are they planted in the right conditions,  sun loving plants in a sunny location, that sort of thing.  I know it sounds obvious,  but you'd be surprised. 
    It may be that they're settling in, and it may also be that you're killing them with kindness,  the rudbeckia (red and orange flowers) don't need too rich a soil.
    The agapanthus (first and third photos) look as if they've finished flowering- were they in flower when they were planted ?
    Don't be afraid to ask questions,  we all had to start somewhere and we're all still learning :)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    In addition to @AnniD's comments, watering once a day shouldn't be necessary.
    The time you'd do that is during a very hot spell, or if the ground is bone dry [or both] when putting a plant in that's quite mature, or is flowering, or is a shrub, as it's hard for them to cope initially. :)
    The watering must be thorough - a good canful, not a dribble, and every other day would normally be enough, and it depends on the plant and it's needs. It should also be done right in at the base of the plant, not overhead. That ensures it gets right into the ground, and the roots will do the same, enabling them to thrive when there is less water. 
    That watering will also depend largely on your local climate,and the soil conditions. Where I live for instance, the climate is very different from the south east of England  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    They need dead heading. When the flowers are over or getting tatty then cut them off. That will encourage new flowers and tidy up the plants which will carry on flowering for a longer time. The Agapanthus, as AnniD said, have probably finished flowering for this year. The hydrangea may have suffered a bit from the shock of being planted in the summer, if that is when they were planted, or it could have suffered from lack of water before you bought it while it was in its pot. It should recover, cut off the dead flower.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • marianogodoymarianogodoy Posts: 7
    AnniD said:
    Hello Marian, welcome to the forum  :)
    My first question would be, are they planted in the right conditions,  sun loving plants in a sunny location, that sort of thing.  I know it sounds obvious,  but you'd be surprised. 
    It may be that they're settling in, and it may also be that you're killing them with kindness,  the rudbeckia (red and orange flowers) don't need too rich a soil.
    The agapanthus (first and third photos) look as if they've finished flowering- were they in flower when they were planted ?
    Don't be afraid to ask questions,  we all had to start somewhere and we're all still learning :)
    Hello!! Thanks lots. Yes the agaphantus was in flower when planted. These are in the sunny side of the garden, but it's a north east facing so they don't get too much.


  • marianogodoymarianogodoy Posts: 7
    Busy-Lizzie said:
    They need dead heading. When the flowers are over or getting tatty then cut them off. That will encourage new flowers and tidy up the plants which will carry on flowering for a longer time. The Agapanthus, as AnniD said, have probably finished flowering for this year. The hydrangea may have suffered a bit from the shock of being planted in the summer, if that is when they were planted, or it could have suffered from lack of water before you bought it while it was in its pot. It should recover, cut off the dead flower.
    Great tip thanks. And the dead heading it's just under the flower I take it? Or further down the branch? Thanks lots!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If you're talking about the hydrangea, just nip the flower off, although usually, flowerheads are left on over winter for protection, as any resulting new growth on stems can be nipped by frosts, and looks unsightly, as well as possibly causing some dying back of the stem.
    Having said that, on those paniculata types, the whole plant gets pruned in spring, as they flower on new wood, so it's less of an issue.  :)
    On the perennials, you would take the whole stem off, or cut back to a joint where there might be a new bud forming. Just look and see when you do it  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I agree with everyone else, be careful not to overwater, but apart from that it's just the flowers fading. That's normal, nothing lasts forever. In particular Agapanthus flower in a single flush each year so deadheading will help them become stronger plants for next year. It won't be long before the leaves start to die back for the winter (assuming they're not the tender evergreen types) so don't worry when that happens. Having said that, one of mine has dark, almost black seed pods which I like, so I leave them on for longer and it doesn't seem to do any harm.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
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