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Virburnum Farreri - what's wrong?! New gardener

harriaburrowharriaburrow Posts: 3
in Problem solving
Hi all, 

I was wondering if anyone has any idea what's wrong with my viburnum farreri (December dwarf) please. I literally only started gardening at the beginning of this summer, and plants are hard! 😂

It was in pretty bad shape when it arrived about 3 weeks ago, had lost a lotttt of leaves in transit, but after planting it really perked up. However, there are now brown spots and wilted leaves all over the place. It's only about 12" tall.

TIA for any help or suggestions! 

Harri :)


Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @harriaburrow It looks as if it might be in a state of shock. As you say some of the leaves look damaged. How often are you watering? Planting anything in a drought situation is risky. 
    If you purchased it on line you should have received it in good order from the seller.I happen to think it will be ok but you may need to water through the winter if weather is dry. It will also take a while to get to any size as at first it will concentrate on root growth. Welcome!
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    Yes I agree but also your soil looks dry You need to keep it watered ,even if it rains a bit 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited August 2022
    Some of those leaves look scorched … it was probably in a bit shadier place at the nursery … and then the sun has been so fierce. 

    We blithely tell new gardeners to water their plants, forgetting that they may not know how much water to give them or how often. 

    I would give your shrub a bucket full of water, 3 times a week, poured gently around the base of the plant so that it really soaks in. 

    Keep doing that until the end of September, when deciduous plants are losing their leaves  for winter. 

    Let’s hope we get some decent rains in winter and spring … but if we don’t, come back and show us how your shrub is doing and we can advise if it needs more tlc. 

    😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Agree with all the above, and going forward, try and purchase from garden centres and nurseries where you can see what you're getting; I don't know what you paid for that online but I expect you could have got a better plant for less if you went to a decent nursery. And probably some advice re planting too 
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • harriaburrowharriaburrow Posts: 3
    Thank you, all! I've been watering 3-4 times a week, but it looks from these comments like I need to be giving it more at a time, so I shall do that from now and 🤞 that it'll perk up.

    Regarding garden centres, ideally I would love to get everything in person, but my nearest one is about 45 minutes away, and I'm disabled, which makes it a bit more difficult. I rely heavily on internet shopping for everything... I am definitely learning that that's not at all ideal for plants though! 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited August 2022
    A few good soaks, so that the water penetrates deep into the soil, encourages the roots to go down into the cool dampness … whereas more frequent waterings but in smaller amounts only penetrates the top inch or so … this means that the roots stay near the surface where the moisture is … but it’s also where the heat of the sun can overheat the roots … especially in the conditions we’ve had recently. 

    There are some really good online suppliers … some specialise in particular types of plant. Quite a few regulars on the forum use them so you can always ask for recommendations … mind you recent conditions have been very testing for the carriers transporting living plants. 

    😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    edited August 2022
    Ah I didn't appreciate the disability angle, that makes sense, although I think it's still worth planning a trip if you possibly can. Morrisons usually have really good garden sections if you have one of those any closer.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • harriaburrowharriaburrow Posts: 3
    That's really helpful about the watering, thank you! 

    And I think there's a Morrisons near to where my mum lives, so next time I visit I'll see if I can get there to have a look, thanks 😊
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    They list their garden centres here: Garden Centres (morrisons.com) 
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
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