A previous column talked about what to look for when deciding on the ideal shrub for your landscape design. Once you have the shrub(s) planted, like many gardeners, you may have a question concerning a specific problem. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers, for your information.
- I purchased a dwarf variety shrub a few years ago, and it hasn’t grown at all. Why not?
- It may appear that this shrub hasn’t grown at all, but it has, albeit a very small amount. Most draft species are hybridized to grow to and maintain a very reduced size in comparison to the full-size variety.
- As a result, annual growth on this species is very small (around a centimetre or so), so it is very hard to detect. As long as your tree is healthy and maintaining its annual colour, you have nothing to worry about.
- If you want a bigger shrub, you may have to choose a different variety and move this one to another spot. Note the slow growth rate also applies to many of the species that have been hybridized to maintain certain shapes.
- I would like to plant some shrubs, but my soil is very poor. How do I correct this?
- Many other columns have stressed the importance of good soil nutrients and condition. But to make a long story short, you need to add some organic matter such as compost, peat moss or well-rotted manure.
- Check to see what soil requirements are needed for the species of shrub you want to grow and adjust your organic matter accordingly. For example, rhododendrons, azaleas and junipers like acidic soil, so add more peat moss. Blend the organic matter into the soil well and then follow the instructions for proper planting techniques from a previous column.
- The leaves of my shrub looked bleached out, why?
- Excessive sunlight can scorch leaves on shrubs, especially when they are a type of shrub that prefers a low light location. If this is the case, it is best to relocate the shrub, if it is not too big, to a shadier location.
- Scorching can also occur on shrubs growing in a shady location that are suddenly exposed to full sunlight (i.e. a larger tree is cut down, the shrub is relocated, buildings or fencing is removed, etc., causing a change in the light conditions).
- Scorching can also occur when hot, dry winds are prevalent during the summer months. These types of winds cause the surface area of the leaves to dry out, and the root system is not capable of replacing the moisture to the leaves fast enough, so scorching results.
- The leaves may appear bleached out or be dry and withered. This can be prevented in the future by ensuring that during dry and hot conditions, the tree/shrub receives plenty of water and the roots have ample space to grow.
- I had planted a shrub with burgundy leaves; now they are green. What happened?
- This is a classic case of insufficient moisture. When a tree or shrub has coloured or variegated leaves, there is less chlorophyll in each leaf. When it comes under stress, usually by not receiving enough water, it must convert its coloured leaves back to green to produce enough chlorophyll to keep itself alive.
- Increased watering will usually solve this problem. The best option is not to allow this to happen in the first place, as this process causes undue stress on the tree or shrub, making it more susceptible to insect and disease infestations in addition to drought.
