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Persicaria bistorta 'Superba'
Does anyone know much about Persicaria bistorta 'Superba'? I bought two of these from a nursery a month ago, planted them in partial shade as it said to do and never let them dry out, but neither show sign of new growth.
I suppose it's a good thing that it's the same issue with both, could just be that they need to settle, but the rodgersia I bought at the same time is absolutely thriving, so not sure what the issue could be? Any ideas?
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Was there any sign of life when you bought them? I ask because mine are currently in full leaf and flowering, and while pot grown ones might be a little behind they shouldn't be that far. I've illtreated mine in the past, dug them up and left the roots on the soil surface over winter, frost, snow, the lot, and they've still grown away once planted, with no coddling whatsoever. I put 3 small bits into a damp meadow and they are now romping away,out competing couch grass, while I have others growing in full sun that are also happy, so it's not a difficult plant. I would be inclined to lift one very gently and have a look at the roots. If they seem healthy replace it and summon some more patience, but there really should be some signs of growth by now.
The usual problem with these is too much growth. How big were they when you planted them (pot size)?
In the sticks near Peterborough
I wonder if your soil is too rich for them? Mine are rampant like Buttercups - and they grow in unresponsive heavy clay and seem virtually unkillable. Mind you, for everyone who has foolproof plants like this, there is another load of people who simply can't get them to grow at all. hat;'s the challenge of gardenning!
Buttercupdays, that's exactly why I bought them, I wanted something that would be fast growing and vigorous, but so far...well, nothing. I am going to take your advice though and dig it out gently to check on the roots, I hope all is not lost.
Nutcutlet, the pot size was probably 2ltr... Can't quite remember. I've tried to upload a picture I took of one of them on my phone but for some reason it says the file type is invalid (a bog standard jpeg???)
2litres is a good big pot full. If you teased out the roots and watered them in you should have had no problem.
I don't think you can post photos from a phone, some people use photo storage sites and a link
In the sticks near Peterborough
Ok, managed to do it now. This is how the plant looks like at the moment, exactly how it looked when I planted it a month ago.
That looks a bit dead
I think I'd tackle the nursery you got them from
In the sticks near Peterborough
Oh no ???? Thats such a shame, I was really hoping they would be salvageable.
Yep, that definitely looks as though it is dead. Did it have any green on it when you bought it?
No, it didn't. Neither of them did (I bought two). I didn't think anything of it as the rodgersia I bought at the same time didn't have any growth on it either, but that's thriving. I just find it strange that both plants have no green on them, I bought them from the nursery that supply Chelsea Flower Show so I wouldn't think they'd sell anything that wasn't at least alive?