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Novice in need of help!

nat_uk2000nat_uk2000 Posts: 6
in Problem solving
Good afternoon from not so sunny Scotland. I’m in need of some help. I’m just trying to establish our new garden. We planted a lot of evergreens last year and they seem to not be coming back this year. One of which is a forsythia that we were gifted it’s about 4 years old put it in the ground last summer it was lovely and healthy and now it has no leaves buds or flowers. I have scraped the stems and they are green inside but I have no idea what’s went wrong and if it’s possible to revive it? Any help or advice much appreciated

Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Forsythia isn't evergreen. You should get blossom first and then the leaves. Your plants will be later up in Scotland than down south so be patient😊
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • nat_uk2000nat_uk2000 Posts: 6
    Ok thank you it just doesn’t look like there are any buds ready to come out and looks quite unhealthy I will try post a picture 
  • nat_uk2000nat_uk2000 Posts: 6

  • nat_uk2000nat_uk2000 Posts: 6
    Also any tips for this rhododendron 
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Is the ground very dry?
    Do any of your neighbours grow rhdodendrons? They need acid soil. They won't grow in some soils such as clay.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • nat_uk2000nat_uk2000 Posts: 6
    The neighbour next door has nothing in their garden and no one at the other side or behind however us quite clay based soil. I we did dig a very large hole and put some multipurpose compost in before we added the plants but I’m thinking of trying putting the rhododendron in a pot maybe it’s just the ground is rubbish 
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    You will need ericaceous compost in your container to grow rhododendrons. That's as much as I know as I have clay soil too. Yours looks in a bad way. I hope someone else can give you more advice😊
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    edited April 2021
    If you aren't experienced in looking after plants engulfing them in slate stops you from knowing how wet or dry the ground is and also makes it more difficult to feed with pelleted/granular feed. Quite a few rhododendrons don't need acidic soil, what they absolutely hate is alkaline soil. I would pull back the top dressing so you can assess the conditions properly.
    If your soil is really heavy then maybe pot it up in a large pot, but depends on the variety of it will be happy in a container long term, some smaller varieties can be kept going if well fed and watered. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • nat_uk2000nat_uk2000 Posts: 6
    Thank you. Yes I did wonder if the slate was a bad idea. I will pull it back and see how the ground is maybe pop it in a pot with some ericaceous soil and see how it goes. I have another area with no skate so might pop it in there if I can get it nursed back to health. Thank you for your advice. I’m very need to gardening and my parents are very green fingered so just trying to find my way.
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    We all have to start sometime. And the best way to learn is to not be discouraged and to keep doing it and learning from mistakes and successes. Good luck
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
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