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Shrub Planting Mistake? - Compost

SN2008SN2008 Posts: 23
in Problem solving
Good morning all.

Looking for some help/advice.

I recently planted a Gardenia, a Hypericum Perforatum and a few Geraniums out in the garden. In my excitement and without thinking it through, I planted them in a hole that I dug which I filled with multi use compost thinking it would give them a good start. I have since read that you should use either 20% compost mix with soil or just plant them in the soil and back fill with the soil that was dug out. My question is should I take them out and re-plant them or leave them now and hope for the best? 

Any help would be appreciated.

Posts

  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    I would have thought the gardenia and the geraniums, if they are pelagoniums not hardy ones are not hardy enough to plant out yet. 
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Are they geraniums,can we have a picture
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    It's not so much the compost that I find a bit strange, it's the choice of plants.

    Gardenia is tender, not frost or cold weather proof and is usually grown as a house plant.
    Hypericum Perforatum is a wild flower, usually found in rough grass and hedgerows. There are other better types of hypericum for growing in gardens, such as "Hidcote".

    When you say "Geraniums" are you meaning hardy perennial geraniums or do you mean pelargoniums? People often call pelargoniums by the name geranium. They are not hardy and shouldn't be planted outside until at least mid-May.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    Another thought - did you just dig one hole and plant them all in that?
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • SN2008SN2008 Posts: 23
    Busy-Lizzie said:
    It's not so much the compost that I find a bit strange, it's the choice of plants.

    Gardenia is tender, not frost or cold weather proof and is usually grown as a house plant.
    Hypericum Perforatum is a wild flower, usually found in rough grass and hedgerows. There are other better types of hypericum for growing in gardens, such as "Hidcote".

    When you say "Geraniums" are you meaning hardy perennial geraniums or do you mean pelargoniums? People often call pelargoniums by the name geranium. They are not hardy and shouldn't be planted outside until at least mid-May.
    It's the hardy Gardenia Crown Jewel and the hardy perennial Geraniums. No, all separate holes. So would you say the compost is ok then?
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    The main issue is MPC will break down and become less bulky over the next few months and the level soil above the 'holes' will sink.  If that happens, the base of the shrub stems could end up below soil level (ie same as planting too deep) and that can cause the base of the stems to rot.  It all depends on how big and deep the holes are.  If the 'plugs' of MPC are larger than about 20cm wide and deep, I would remove the shrubs and dig the area over to mix-in the MPC and then re-plant them.  The geraniums will probably be fine left as is though.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • SN2008SN2008 Posts: 23
    BobTheGardener said:
    The main issue is MPC will break down and become less bulky over the next few months and the level soil above the 'holes' will sink.  If that happens, the base of the shrub stems could end up below soil level (ie same as planting too deep) and that can cause the base of the stems to rot.  It all depends on how big and deep the holes are.  If the 'plugs' of MPC are larger than about 20cm wide and deep, I would remove the shrubs and dig the area over to mix-in the MPC and then re-plant them.  The geraniums will probably be fine left as is though.
    That's great thanks for the advice
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    The gardenia is still only bordering on hardy, OK in a sheltered spot, won't survive a hard frost. Did you use ericaceous compost? It likes acid soil or compost.
     
    Have you just recently planted them? If so I think I would re-plant them, mixing the compost with the earth and water them well. The gardenia won't like tap water, it likes rain water or soft water. Glad they are hardy geraniums, lovely and easy.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    The gardenia  isn't an easy plant to grow judging by the reviews on Crocus. It might be better off in a pot than in the ground.
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    Yes, I think in a pot of ericaceous compost on a sheltered patio would be best. Then when you sit on the patio you can enjoy it's lovely scent.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
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