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| I have 2 of these, one on each side of our front steps. One is doing great, the other has had some unusual growth. The new leaves came in curly and now it appears to have dried up. Can it actually be just too dry?
Thanks, Nancy |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Even here in our duller than normal for the country area purple-leaved Weigela, like purple-leaved Japanese maples, filberts etc. often fade and get crispy over summer unless planting spot is optimal. If these specimens are new to your garden it is possible the one is having problems with the original potting soil root-ball shedding water to the soil around it. Or maybe it is even having a problem with too much moisture, the resulting deterioration of the roots causing the top to have problems getting enough moisture. Otherwise, maybe there is enough of a difference in exposure between the two sides of the entry to account for it. Here, where we have rainless periods with reduced humidity in mid-summer, purple-leaved forms located in sites that heat up at that time are the ones that fade. I've actually seen a purple-leaved Japanese maple looking good on one small lot with a faded out one right next door. The first place had a lush green lawn, the second a dried up one. The trees were of similar size and shape, perhaps even the same grafted cultivar or seed strain. |
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- Posted by prairiegirlz5 (My Page) on Sun, Sep 6, 09 at 16:42
| I think bboy's guess that you might have a soil interface problem sounds most likely, the only way to know that for sure is to dig it up and look at the root ball. If it's dry, try to shake off as much of the potting mix as possible without damaging the roots, water it well as you replant it into unamended soil(same soil as entire bed), and mulch. Or, just provide extra water and mulch, and wait for it to find it's own way. My W&R had a little period of adjustment after planting, it may just be weigela is a bit tempermental. Anyone else have that experience? As far as purple-leaved forms of shrubs in general being a bit tempermental, I have not experienced that across the board, but I will concur that Japanese maples are also sensitive to extremes. |
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| Thank you both for your replies. I agree that the sun exposure may be a little bit different on the 2 sides of the entry. We've had an odd summer also - lots and lots of drenching rains followed by a very hot and dry period. They've both been in the ground for 3 years. Is it possible for a soil interface problem to cause the leaves to grow in all curled up? They look as if they'd been wrapped around a broom stick, and this is before they become dried up. Although, I suppose if they eventually dry up, the bush is not getting enough water?? |
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| I have a grouping of Fine Wine Weigela, which I belive is an imporved version of Midnight Wine (otherwise its Wine and Roses). Mine are 2 years old with southwest exposure. I provided supplemental water the 1st year and haven't really water the 2nd year. They seem to like a drier, well drained soil with plenty of sun. Rabbits ate them down to the ground both years and they sprouted up just fine both years. One of the more vigorous, water dependent shrubs in my yard. |
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- Posted by prairiegirlz5 (My Page) on Mon, Sep 7, 09 at 20:24
| Nancy~I think your soil interface days are past, that advice was for newly planted shrubs, in general. I looked earlier today, my weigela 'W&R' has a few dried up leaves too, sounds we've had the same weather patterns. I guess I don't notice it, because overall the growth is still strong. It's distressing isn't it when you have one on each side?! I've been trying for years to get similar results on either side of our front steps with shrub groupings, but they never "match"!!?? :P |
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