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Recently planted Choisya Ternata Sundance.

alroyrobalroyrob Posts: 6
in Problem solving
Hello, can anyone suggest why my recently planted Choisya ternata sundance looks so poorly please?
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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    How recently planted? Has it been watered since planting? How and where is it planted?  What prep was done to the ground? 
    They can get quite bleached in very sunny sites, so they can be difficult to place well enough to get the colour, but without getting sun damage. Bit like people  ;)
    Can we see a pic from further away?  It's certainly had some damage, slugs or similar, but that isn't usually a major problem   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • alroyrobalroyrob Posts: 6
    Hi, it was planted 2 weeks ago. I've watered it once when planted and then a light watering a week later. (Apparently Choisyas don't like too much watering?) It is about 2 feet away from the driveway and I mixed the soil with a largish amount of compost. (It was poor soil originally, with a lot of clay in it). I planted another one exactly the same day and similar circumstances but that one is doing well.  :)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Clay needs amending well before planting anything, as it can stay too wet in wetter periods, and the opposite in dry ones. That's not good for roots to establish. In  good, amended soil, and in a cooler damper climate, it wouldn't be so much of a problem. I can plant here without watering at all - even in drier periods. It's only if I plant shrubs or trees in summer that I need to water slightly more often. 
    I obviously can't see how good or bad the soil is though, and it's not unusual for two identical  shrubs to be planted quite near each other, and one does ok, and one doesn't, because small differences can change how they behave. It's worth keeping an eye on the other one though, as they've only been in a fortnight. Shrubs take many months  to establish.  :)
    I'm afraid it probably hasn't been watered enough though. Near driveway/pavement footings always tends to be drier too. Light watering is also counter productive as it encourages roots to stay near the surface. A good can or bucketful ,right in at the base,  every 3, 4 or 5 days is far better.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • alroyrobalroyrob Posts: 6
    Thanks for the speedy reply. I was told by the guy at the garden centre (when I bought it), that, as Choisyas originate from Mexico they mustn't be overwatered, so, I am afraid to water it too much however, you think it looks like it needs more water ? Appreciate your help.  ;)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's very difficult to be exact because, as I said - I can't actually feel your soil, or see the whole shrub and it's condition, but it's always a bad idea to let any shrub get dried out after planting, especially at this time of year.  It's why they're often best planted in autumn as the risk of drying out is minimised. 
    Check the moisture level of the soil with your finger and go from there.
    The gravel around it shouldn't be right up against it either, so just make sure there's a bit of space around the main trunk  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • alroyrobalroyrob Posts: 6
    Thanks, I'll do that. I doubt that I have overwatered it so I will take your advice and give it more water and see if there is any improvement.  ;)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I also have no idea where you are and your general conditions. That can make a big difference too.
    Sutherland is very, very different from Southend  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • alroyrobalroyrob Posts: 6
    I'm in the often wet West coast of Ireland, so once established the plants won't require much watering from myself.  :D
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's the early stages that matter though. We're the same here in terms of watering, but the soil conditions matter too - sandy soil isn't the same as clay for example, so just be vigilant with it  for the next few months. I take it the rootball was moist when you planted it too?  
    I'm surprised that someone in a garden centre told you they don't like being watered just because they're from Mexico. Very poor advice. No shrub, regardless of it's origins, can just be left to get on with it if planted at this time of year, unless the site is absolutely sound, with good soil,  and there's plenty of rain to water it when needed, rather than manual watering.  
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • alroyrobalroyrob Posts: 6
    Well, I think he was warning me to not overwater it as Choisyas can cope with little water but I agree with you that in the beginning I should keep it moist at the very least. I started to worry when I saw that the leaves had started to fade and curl downwards though. On another website someone has suggested that it looks like frost damage ?
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