Newly planted Escallonia (rubra) not doing well...
Cody Doser 304
Posts: 5
Hi guys! New here, I explored and read all the intro information including about the search function, but couldn;t find something that fit my issue. So I recently planted 3, 2 within last 3 weeks, 1 within last 2, escallonia (rubra) shrubs and the 2 that have been planted longer are not doing so hot. I purchased these from a reputable nursery, and here's some info that might explain what's going on.
I dug a hole twice as wide and slight deeper than the rootball, filled with a mixture of natural soil and planting soil. One shrub has started to loose it's color (still green but very, VERY light), with about half brown leaves in front, a few spotted brown in back. The other has about 1/4 it's leaves on the ground, brown leaves in front, 1/2 brown half spotted in back. Now I am 100% positive the brown leaves in front are from my dogs peeing on them (which I have put a stop to, took about a week though), though the leaves in back are not from this. And to complicate matters the third escallonia bush has also been urinated on and that one still looks wonderful. Any ideas of the issue guys? I hope to save at least the light green one as it looks doable. The worst one I will work on but expect to lose. I of course have learned about leaf spot, but I just don't feel like this is the issue or the only one due to the one shrub loosing color. I am thankful for any and all advice.
I dug a hole twice as wide and slight deeper than the rootball, filled with a mixture of natural soil and planting soil. One shrub has started to loose it's color (still green but very, VERY light), with about half brown leaves in front, a few spotted brown in back. The other has about 1/4 it's leaves on the ground, brown leaves in front, 1/2 brown half spotted in back. Now I am 100% positive the brown leaves in front are from my dogs peeing on them (which I have put a stop to, took about a week though), though the leaves in back are not from this. And to complicate matters the third escallonia bush has also been urinated on and that one still looks wonderful. Any ideas of the issue guys? I hope to save at least the light green one as it looks doable. The worst one I will work on but expect to lose. I of course have learned about leaf spot, but I just don't feel like this is the issue or the only one due to the one shrub loosing color. I am thankful for any and all advice.
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They may be thirsty - newly planted shrubs need regular watering till established and their roots have spread enough to find their own nutrients and moisture without help. This can take a whole growing season if planted in spring or late winter.
On the other hand, if you didn't break up the clay beneath the new hole the water will not be draining away and their roots may be waterlogged and lacking air.
Another thing to consider is exposure. These plants need protection from cold, drying winds while they get established.
Lastly, this is a UK based forum so we're not familiar with northern California growing conditions. We do, however, have a very good Royal Horticultural Society who offer the following advice for growing escallonia rubra - https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/55322/Escallonia-rubra-Crimson-Spire/Details$,
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
edit: and for more added info, I just went out and inspected again. The brown leaves in front are more brittle/dry. Again, dog pee I assume. The ones towards the back have a slightly more mushy feel to them than the healthier leaves. Maybe that tells someone something.
Doggy pee may be one cause but drainage may still be a problem. When you plant on clay you risk creating a pan that holds water so it's best to prepare the hole to the required depth but, having dug it, insert a large garden fork as deeply as possible and wiggle it back and forth to make drainage holes. Do this thoroughly all over the hole and then backfill with a good planting medium and water generously.
The two that were ordered in may just need to acclimatise but, assuming everything else is OK, maybe have a word with the nursery about your problems.
Incidentally, we have recently moved to the Vendée in France and have a clay subsoil in much of the garden and brick making soil in the existing beds which is going to need a lot of patient mulching to improve it. Not as hot as you but we have recently come out of a 17month drought which added to the fun. Since mid December we've had a bit more than one year's normal rainfall.
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
Waterlogged soil could well be the problem: dig a hole near to your shrubs, but not close enough to damage them, and leave it for a few hours. When you go back look to see if water has collected in the bottom. If it hasn't, pour a bucket of water in, go away and come back in 20 minutes or so and check if all the water is gone. If, in either case, you have water you need to experiment with a different way of planting, which I will explain if you post on here. Another problem with escallonia is that they hate cold, sharp wind. I don't know if you get this in California but it crisps up my escallonia quite regularly.
Posy, I will try that hopefully once the rain lets up a little. thank you for the suggestion. I learn towards waterlogged, but obviously don't know for sure or I wouldn't be here
I tried planting stuff in one of the existing beds in this new plot and it was like concrete. This spring after having applied several inches of mulching compost last year and a decent slew of rain these last 3 months, it's much easier to work. I'm getting in quick before it dries out again.
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
However, before you do all that, try shielding your escallonia from the wind. That could be the problem. Good luck!
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw