Maybe it isn't Botrytis then. I'm not sure they're very susceptible - I've certainly never had it on any of mine, and I've grown them in most gardens I've had. Mine have only just finished flowering. Maybe they're just a bit rotted and look manky .
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl I’ll take a picture when I get home on a side note is this the best time to move a Weigela? Also, how on earth do I get to become as knowledgeable as you and the rest of the experts on here?? I just want to learn everything! 🙂
I move weigelas any time I feel like it, but you would normally do it in autumn when they're dormant. It's easier here because conditions are cooler and damper, so shrubs hardly notice getting moved. I only know what I know. It just comes from experience. There are people here who've forgotten more than I know.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I don't really like them, but I've moved the white one I've got twice in the last 18 months or so. I moved a horrible pink one at a previous house - to the compost bin... I move shrubs of any kind when it suits me, but as I said - I have conditions here which make it easier.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I’ll probably move mine soon then! It’s lost all its leaves now so it’s dormant right?
Off topic question. I’ve always read that roses are mulched in autumn, can it be done in spring? Is there any difference?
Also with regards to mulching, correct me if wrong please, but is it correct that spring mulching is better for slow release feeding, and autumn mulching for improving the ground when worms are more active? Are there any pros and cons between spring and autumn mulching? Many thanks
Dormant if it's defoliated, yes. I don't grow roses as I don't like them, so I know nothing about them. Mulching is for retaining moisture, suppressing weeds and can help soil structure as it breaks down- depending on the mulch. It's not a feed as such, so spring mulching is largely done for the first two reasons. Worms are active all year round.
I mulch when it suits me - usually at this time of year when I have spent compost to use, or I do it when I want to top dress a border where there's hedging, and make it look smarter - I mainly use bark for that. I certainly don't need to do it for moisture retention.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Off topic question. I’ve always read that roses are mulched in autumn, can it be done in spring? Is there any difference?
Also with regards to mulching, correct me if wrong please, but is it correct that spring mulching is better for slow release feeding, and autumn mulching for improving the ground when worms are more active? Are there any pros and cons between spring and autumn mulching? Many thanks
It depends on why you mulch and what do you use. Autumn is good for garden compost, used compost from growing veg/annuals or similar low nutrients mulches. Early spring/late winter if you use fresh compost (with slow-release food) or composted manure because nutrients in these would leach out over the winter and could trigger soft growth in autumn. Bark or woodchip mulches can be used anytime but I would say the best time (for access reasons) is when you are doing your pruning and when all companion plants are died down, so January/February time. Autumn mulching is done in colder countries to prevent frost damage to roses. This isn't an issue here.
Would mulching in spring not improve soil structure as well? The mulch I would be using is rotted horse/stable manure. I believe it’s said to be a good slow release fertiliser (rotted manure that is) so would that best be done in spring? If I did it in autumn I’m assuming many of the nutrients would be lost by the winter rain we have in the U.K.
Many thanks for your help and sorry for all the questions!
Yes, it would improve soil structure in spring too. And the nutrients in the manure would do more good at that time (as per Edhelka's reply, more of the nutrients could get washed out over winter if you put it down now).
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
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Maybe they're just a bit rotted and look manky .
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I only know what I know. It just comes from experience. There are people here who've forgotten more than I know.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I moved a horrible pink one at a previous house - to the compost bin...
I move shrubs of any kind when it suits me, but as I said - I have conditions here which make it easier.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Off topic question. I’ve always read that roses are mulched in autumn, can it be done in spring? Is there any difference?
I don't grow roses as I don't like them, so I know nothing about them.
Mulching is for retaining moisture, suppressing weeds and can help soil structure as it breaks down- depending on the mulch.
It's not a feed as such, so spring mulching is largely done for the first two reasons. Worms are active all year round.
I mulch when it suits me - usually at this time of year when I have spent compost to use, or I do it when I want to top dress a border where there's hedging, and make it look smarter - I mainly use bark for that. I certainly don't need to do it for moisture retention.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Autumn mulching is done in colder countries to prevent frost damage to roses. This isn't an issue here.
Many thanks for your help and sorry for all the questions!