your link to pix failed .... and not knowing what you are talking about.. really limits my ability to offer suggestions ...

ken

Hmmm the link seemed to work for me... But thanks for taking a look anyways!!

it says i have no access..

you might have a password cookie that is letting you go in and out of the album.. which we dont have ...

you have to either disable your password [which i do NOT recommend] .. or figure out how to let others access those pics..

or... check the link ... if you see it on preview.. we will ...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: look for this entry: Posted by buehl (My Page) on Fri, Feb 11, 11 at 14:06

Ok try this one out.

Here is a link that might be useful: flickr pic

well.. for one.. you have a great spider in there.. lol.. but that is irrelevant ...

second.. early summer was a bit late on planting.. so i would vote planting too late in the season.. or improper watering....

as to your soaker hose.. in your soil ... we can not tell you if what you offer is enough ..

the plant needs to be damp ... throughout its root zone .... for the whole of the hot summer... not just a little at the top ...

water as you usually do.. then go in there .. and find out how much water is actually getting to the root zone .... if its not enough.. increase duration.. until it has water ..

ken

Planting with intact root-balls is common. This often leads to watering issues due to soil texture differences between the area inside the planting hole and outside of it. For instance, coarse potting soil (and amended planting hole back-fill) will usually have less of an attraction for water than unmodified native soil around the hole. So during summer drought water inside the root-ball and/or amended planting hole is constantly migrating from there to the unmodified soil around the hole.

Ok I hear you guys. I thought watering was the problem as well. So for three days in a row with no watering or rain and lots of sunshine I stuck my finger into the soil up to the second knuckle probably 3 inches from the base of the bush and the soil was still wet. This shrub is in a very shady spot in our yard with almost no direct sun (maybe none). Do we think there is any chance that the shrub is getting too much water? And what can I do to amend the problem? I have some soil that I could dump there to build up the area and promote better drainage.... Thanks!!!!