@scaliakevin1985yjkNkV9b Looking at the photo I'm not sure if the one on the right is variegated. The leaves do look smaller. Perhaps something is going on at the roots possibly too wet ?Also how much room is there for the plants to grow. Did you have to squeeze them into the space. I wonder if there is a mature one growing locally to you that will give you an idea just how big they can get.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
I couldn't make my mind up @GardenerSuze re variegated or not, which is why I asked, because it looked so different from the other plant, but it's almost impossible to gauge from the only photo there is as there simply isn't enough for us to go on. The site doesn't look good, which was something I was concerned about. Plants won't give their best if they're struggling from the start with the site/soil. I'm sure you know that only too well from your work
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl It was very difficult when a client purchased a plant, knew where they wanted it to go, then I came along and' burst their bubble'. Even today it never ceases to amaze me how many people spend well earned money on plants that are unsuitable. Perhaps they are unaware of the fact but the thought is often 'I'll just give it a go and hope for the best'. An expensive way of doing and it doesn't help the environment if it only survives in the short term. So many people have i phones today [not us] if you see a plant at a GC you really love just check if it is right for the site before you buy.Easy Peasy!
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
I think there might be two different varieties there @Fairygirl and @GardenerSuze, one the normal Prunus lusitanica on the left with the slightly larger leaves and Prunus lusitanica Myrtifolia on the right with the narrower leaves and reddish leaf stalks. I find that the second variety tends to look as if it's struggling, as in this photo! It also grows more slowly than the first variety. That might explain why your plants look different @scaliakevin1985yjkNkV9b.
Removing the bricks will give your plants more space to expand outwards as well as upwards - they can be potentially large shrubs with tree like proportions. I have found that in my dry sandy soil they struggle without lots of water in summer. At this time of year, provided your soil is moist, there should be no need to water until new growth starts in Spring.
Indeed @GardenerSuze. I occasionally try a new plant, even if it might be iffy for my conditions, but only if I feel I can make a good attempt at getting the right conditions for it etc. Sometimes it works - sometimes it doesn't, but the odd experiment is quite nice, especially if it's something that can be divided and I can try it in sites it technically shouldn't like. The phone is useful up to a point, but it's interesting that so many people still come to folk on the forum for extra help. The labels don't always have the 'full picture'
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Plantminded That sounds like good news lets hope that is why and both plants are OK.
@Fairygirl You are right plant labels offer little help. If I'm not sure OH is always happy to google for a bit more info before purchase. The very best advice comes from other gardeners who grow the same plants and their experiences.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
That's helpful @Plantminded - they certainly didn't look like the same plant when having a good look, but sometimes it's hard to tell from photos. I knew there was a variegated one, but that's the extent of my knowledge on Portuguese laurel. It's the reason I asked the OP as I couldn't decide on whether it was a problem or just a different variety. It seemed odd to me that they would be different if it was for a hedge, but it's hard to know for sure. It's good that you've confirmed the ID as that can help with advice
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
The site doesn't look good, which was something I was concerned about. Plants won't give their best if they're struggling from the start with the site/soil. I'm sure you know that only too well from your work
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Even today it never ceases to amaze me how many people spend well earned money on plants that are unsuitable. Perhaps they are unaware of the fact but the thought is often 'I'll just give it a go and hope for the best'. An expensive way of doing and it doesn't help the environment if it only survives in the short term.
So many people have i phones today [not us] if you see a plant at a GC you really love just check if it is right for the site before you buy.Easy Peasy!
Removing the bricks will give your plants more space to expand outwards as well as upwards - they can be potentially large shrubs with tree like proportions. I have found that in my dry sandy soil they struggle without lots of water in summer. At this time of year, provided your soil is moist, there should be no need to water until new growth starts in Spring.
The phone is useful up to a point, but it's interesting that so many people still come to folk on the forum for extra help. The labels don't always have the 'full picture'
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl You are right plant labels offer little help. If I'm not sure OH is always happy to google for a bit more info before purchase. The very best advice comes from other gardeners who grow the same plants and their experiences.
It's the reason I asked the OP as I couldn't decide on whether it was a problem or just a different variety. It seemed odd to me that they would be different if it was for a hedge, but it's hard to know for sure.
It's good that you've confirmed the ID as that can help with advice
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...