Make sure they were planted at the correct depth and firmed in place. They will need watering until established. Cutting them back by at least a half will help them establish.
Why are you putting baking powder on them? The size for planting isn't a problem as such, but they need cut back as already said, so it's usually a waste of money. The prep is generally as important as the plant, so it can be counter productive to put any plant into badly prepped soil. If the clay hasn't been improved, it may not be in great condition, which can mean drying out in hotter spells, and waterlogging in wet spells. I'd be very worried if any gardener said to 'give them a shower'. That isn't the way to water any plant. If you're in a drier area, all plants need watered thoroughly and deeply until established. A deep watering every three or four days, not a light spray every day. That makes it worse as the roots don't get down into the ground, which means they're more vulnerable in dry spells.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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The size for planting isn't a problem as such, but they need cut back as already said, so it's usually a waste of money. The prep is generally as important as the plant, so it can be counter productive to put any plant into badly prepped soil. If the clay hasn't been improved, it may not be in great condition, which can mean drying out in hotter spells, and waterlogging in wet spells.
I'd be very worried if any gardener said to 'give them a shower'. That isn't the way to water any plant. If you're in a drier area, all plants need watered thoroughly and deeply until established. A deep watering every three or four days, not a light spray every day. That makes it worse as the roots don't get down into the ground, which means they're more vulnerable in dry spells.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...