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Viburnum Dying? Advice needed!

levensno7levensno7 Posts: 5
in Problem solving
Hi all,

We had a landscape firm plant two Viburnum plicatum in our garden in Feb this year, they were bare / no leaves or berries when planted. They haven’t grown or flowered, very small leaves which are already browning. Any ideas what could be wrong and how we can address it? 

Grateful for any and all help! 

Garden newbie with a passion for plants! 

Posts

  • levensno7levensno7 Posts: 5

    Garden newbie with a passion for plants! 
  • levensno7levensno7 Posts: 5

    Garden newbie with a passion for plants! 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @levensno7 Welcome. Lack of water would be my first thought, we have had a very dry spring. These shrubs will need watering right through the growing season into Autumn and maybe further on tyhan that.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • levensno7levensno7 Posts: 5
    thanks @GardenerSuze :smile: So do you think they may make a recovery? They sit in mixed / clay soil which can be very dry or waterlogged at any one point! 
    Garden newbie with a passion for plants! 
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    The issue is, the shrubs are very mature and the roots may take a few years to settle into the surrounding soil. As suggested, you must keep it well watered throughout the summer months and any periods of dry spell in autumn.

    Water at least twice a week. Lots of water directly into the base of the plant. Preferably early mornings or late evenings to get the best from the watering. In open ground, you are very unlikely to over-water it. If there are leaves forming, it's alive but struggling. 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @levensno7 Landscape gardener's will use large shrubs to give a new garden some impact and often at a price. It should have been pointed out from the beginning that a proper watering programme is critical for such large plants.
    If your Viburnum's were much smaller, they would settle and grow away much more quickly. They are fairly accommodating with soil type but soil must be improved before planting
    There isn't a plant that will cope with any length of waterlogging.
    This spring was very dry, plus alot of drying winds not the best start.
    Agree with @Borderline when you water you must really soak them just a trickle will cause the roots to head for the surface which is the last thing you want.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • AaronBilAaronBil Posts: 100
    I’d reduce by 2/3 and water during dry spells this summer. See what happens next year 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    If they don't pick up this could be your last resort.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • levensno7levensno7 Posts: 5
    Thanks for the advice @GardenerSuze @Aaron 583 @Borderline. I'm not sure there is much I can do with soil improver around the roots now for drainage, but I've bought some good quality mulch for the top and will prune back half to give it a chance, plenty of water from now on too!

    With such a large shrub would I expect to see any recovery happen this year? Or aim to keep it just about alive?!
    Garden newbie with a passion for plants! 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @levensno7 If it is improving  you should see results fairly soon. I would expect it to start shooting new leaves.
    I planted a smaller Viburnum Watanabe last September. 
    Only small compared to yours, it was watered until late Autumn. In normal weather conditions you would expect winter rains to be enough. However I needed to start watering again in early spring.  I have never known this happen before, the seasons are all mixed up. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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