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Help with old Photinia Red Robin shrub

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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Don't bother with grit - you'd need tons of it to make a difference in a border, and it isn't cheap. It's only useful in containers, and small raised beds. 
    Organic matter is what helps soil structure and health. 

    The problem here is that we also can't see how it's being grown - ie at the foot of the shrub. Heucheras and hellebores tend to like quite moist soil, and a degree of shade, although they will happily grow in sun if the soil doesn't get dried out. The health of the other plants can also give an idea of the overall health of the soil. Wind can cause problems just as easily as a lot of sun. 
    It seems to have been cut back hard, judging by the trunk/stem showing in the first pic. To keep them bushy and healthy, they really need to be trimmed all over on a regular basis. If it's been left to grow big, then cut back hard, that could also have affected future growth.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Okay that makes sense just using grit in pots and raised beds 😊
    When I add home compost I have been just layering it as a mulch - should I dig this into the top layer of soil or does it do it’s own thing?
    It is planted in a south facing border with some shade occasionally and previous years it’s been really healthy and colourful. I cut it back hard after researching on the internet how to invigorate a Photinia’s leaves as they tolerate this - it was cut back when it was vigorously growing as recommended!
    I have only given it a gentle trim each year but never cut much off.
    Photos attached to show planting site.
    Thank you @Fairygirl
  • arneilarneil Posts: 313
    I found mine in a pot was really yellow and awful , it was on a grave so in full sun , we brought it home to try and fix it 
    I’m afraid I shoved it in a corner and forgot it 
    this year it is dark green with red berries , it liked the shade ! 
  • Well I never! That’s strange as I thought they liked sun with partial shade - I’m very pleased yours recovered so well.
    Its a waiting game I’m sure, so fingers crossed mine also recovers like yours did!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It does look very sickly. They're fine in sun or semi shade, but other factors always come into play - the amount of moisture and the soil condition are the main ones. Sometimes shrubs and trees [ in particular ] don't show the effects of poorer conditions for a while - often a year or so. 
    Fierce, long term sun and drought, that many areas have experienced over the last couple of years is also quite different from cooler areas that don't get so much of either, and not at those higher levels. That may have been a tipping point. The opposite can also be the case - ie waterlogging. 

    There's a lot of other stuff nearby - a bamboo or similar, on the other side of the fence, and a tree of some kind to the right. Those could have been getting the benefit of moisture and nutrients at the expense of the photinia too. 
    It may also just be struggling due to age. I've never seen one like that, but they're usually in the opposite condition here - manky, little foliage that's damaged and full of black spot, because it's too cold and wet long term for them. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • @Fairygirl yes I think the changes in weather are definitely a contributing factor - we are in Oxfordshire and luckily don’t seem to get extremes.
    The bamboo in our neighbour’s garden is quite a long way from the Photinia (the photo makes it look closer) so their roots shouldn’t affect it, and the shrub to the right is a verbena which is actually thriving! 
    I’ll see what this winter and spring bring and hope it shows signs of recovery then make a decision.
    Thank you again for your advice and comments.

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It was this that I'd  spotted   :)


    I think you'll just have to wait and see if it recovers. It may not, so you'd have to consider replacing it, or having something different there instead.
    Sometimes, if there isn't any obvious reason, that's just how it is with plants. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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