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Cotinus Royal Purple

MeomyeMeomye Posts: 949
in Problem solving
Do these take long to get going or have I put it in the wrong place? I planted it approximately eighteen months ago in a chalky, semi shaded area facing North. It don't think it has grown at all or put out many leaves. Does it need to be moved or am I being impatient? I also have a Physocarpus in a similar spot that hasn't done much either. :( ti a

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    My newly planted out cotinus has been very slow to come back this spring and it's in a  west facing position so has plenty of rain - when there is any - but also a bit of exposure to winds.   They're not supposed to be fussy about soil or acidity etc so I suggest a bit more patience and maybe, after a good drink, a mulch of some well-rotted manure or garden compost with a handful of pelleted chicken manure to encourage it.

    https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/details?plantid=559

    Physocarpus are similarly unfussy about soil or aspect and are even hardier so I would try the same thing - patience, water, feed and mulch.

    https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/105625/Physocarpus-opulifolius-Diabolo-(PBR)/Details 

    I had both in my last garden - very exposed - and they came back eventually even after very hard winters.


    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    I planted one three years’ ago and it’s been slow to take off as well. It’s about one and a half times the original size. Planted in heavy clay, but improved with lots of manure and compost, in part-shade, watered deeply, mulched annually and fed occasionally. I had a previous one in full sun that was stunted and suffering, it regularly got burnt leaves, hence the new location for this one. At least this one looks healthy, just rather small!
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • ElferElfer Posts: 329
    According to rhs Physocarpus likes acidic soil but you have chalky soil which is alkaline, no idea how it impacts the plant though.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    My last garden was fertile alkaline loam and I grew physocarpus with no bother, once winter was over, and sometimes we'd still be frozen solid and having -10°C in April.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • MeomyeMeomye Posts: 949
    Thanks @Obelixx,  I will try to be more patient. I did give it some well rotted manure during the winter but could give it (and Physocarpus) more and a feed as you and @Nollie suggest. No idea why writing has gone all slanty!! 
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    I have both these shrubs in similar conditions. The physocarpus is vigorous to the point of thuggery but the cotinus grows only modestly. It is more than 10 years old and makes about 5ft. at best. It leafs up quite well and produces a few flowers, but it never looks kike the pictures you see in the catalogues.
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