You may find that the alkalinity of the soil will have an affect over time, but if you keeping adding the aforementioned leaf mould and bark, that should help. A year for a new shrub is nothing, which is why we've mentioned that it wouldn't have grown much in the time it's been planted. They're pretty slow growing anyway, even with perfect conditions
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
RE potting plants, what do people use for potted plants, I've always just brought bags of compost and used that. I had no idea that I was supposed to use a mixture... I'm a very keen beginner!
Depends on the plant, but anything staying in a pot long term -ie not just for a few months, needs soil to give enough sustenance. Annuals, or anything that's just in a pot to allow it to grow on - for example, small clematis, or young plants of any kind that would struggle if planted out at their small size, are fine with compost. For long term use, you need a more hearty mix, and you can buy those at GCs - look for John Innes composts, which are loam based. Or you can use garden soil, or bought in top soil, mixed with some compost. For anything woody - shrubs etc, it's a better idea anyway, even short term, as compost just breaks down eventually, and that can be problematic in terms of moisture retention etc.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
It looks a lot healthier than mine @Jammy1981 I got it when I knew nothing about gardening and just plonked it into the neutral soil. It went yellow and had no buds after 3 years so I had to dig it up and pot it. It cheered up really quick and bloomed again. This year it's a bit yellow again though it does have buds. I repotted about a month ago but no change.
Neutral soil covers quite a big range in pH terms @Crazybeelady, so your soil may well be at the alkaline end A month isn't long enough for any major difference to be seen, so you'll need to be patient for a bit longer, although making sure the soil is suitable and is refreshed each year will help it's health
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
If it's in a pot and has to stay in one @Crazybeelady, it'll need more attention than in the ground. The addition of the iron as @Pete.8 mentions, is helpful along with getting the basic growing medium right. Rainwater for watering too, if you don't have suitable tap water. A mulch of bark is also useful for them.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
A year for a new shrub is nothing, which is why we've mentioned that it wouldn't have grown much in the time it's been planted. They're pretty slow growing anyway, even with perfect conditions
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Annuals, or anything that's just in a pot to allow it to grow on - for example, small clematis, or young plants of any kind that would struggle if planted out at their small size, are fine with compost.
For long term use, you need a more hearty mix, and you can buy those at GCs - look for John Innes composts, which are loam based. Or you can use garden soil, or bought in top soil, mixed with some compost.
For anything woody - shrubs etc, it's a better idea anyway, even short term, as compost just breaks down eventually, and that can be problematic in terms of moisture retention etc.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I got it when I knew nothing about gardening and just plonked it into the neutral soil. It went yellow and had no buds after 3 years so I had to dig it up and pot it. It cheered up really quick and bloomed again. This year it's a bit yellow again though it does have buds. I repotted about a month ago but no change.
A month isn't long enough for any major difference to be seen, so you'll need to be patient for a bit longer, although making sure the soil is suitable and is refreshed each year will help it's health
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Use once a year in the spring
I use this but there are plenty of alternatives-
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00M48LGKO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
A mulch of bark is also useful for them.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...