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Tree hollyhock 'Hibiscus syriacus Marina'

RoddersUKRoddersUK Posts: 537
in Problem solving
Hi all,

Planted one of these in Aug 2021.
Clay soil (not orange thick clay) lots of compost dug in, all other plants loving the border.
It's in a corner and gets south and west sun.
It was flowering then I planted it, it flowered last year, it's currently is showing buds, but it's not grown an inch taller!?

It's not happy, I know we had that very warm dry spell last year, but I was watering regularly with old shower water.

Does it need a few years to get established?

I'm eyeing up other trees as an alternative!

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited April 2023
    @RoddersUK Just wondered if you live in the north or south of the UK. Not hardy here in my garden. 
    I also wonder if your soil is the problem. Others will be able to offer advice.

    My Mum in law grew one for many years in her Oxfordshire garden her soil was good and free draining.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • RoddersUKRoddersUK Posts: 537
    Sorry, missed that info, south coast.

    I see quite a few around the area in people's gardens, perhaps not the exact variety.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Some varieties are fussier than others.  I could get the basic blue one to grow well and even self seed in my last garden but the fancier ones I planted all died in long, cold, wet winters.

    Inherited a few here in this garden and, again, the blue one is the strongest and fastest growing.  The others - pinks, red, white and purple - are all struggling and one has died.  I'm assuming that's drought but it could also be that they're planted in very solid, poor soil.

    As they do flower profusely when happy, I'm planning to try some liquid rose or tomato feed as an instant tonic once I see signs of buds unfurling.  I'll also try hand forking the soil around the base - careful not to damage roots near the surface - and then give a good mulch of well-rotted garden compost mixed with some well-rotted manure but  remembering to keep the trunk free.  A drink of Epsom salts wouldn't go amiss either - 15ml of salts dissollved in 5 litres of water then poured slowly around the roots so it sinks in deep.  It contains magnesium which is essential for plant health.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    My Mum in Law's was Blue
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • RoddersUKRoddersUK Posts: 537
    It's too late, I just bought a crab apple tree  :D
    :disappointed:

    I'll prob just give it away
  • RoddersUKRoddersUK Posts: 537
    After taking it out, perhaps the soil was a bit 'not free' draining enough.

    I've potted it up and will see how it goes.
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