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Problems with Gaultheria growing

1945crewood1945crewood Posts: 162
in Plants
Just over two years ago I planted five Gaultheria plants. Now when I look at them, all the plants are still very much as they were at the time of planting, none are the worse for wear but none have grown any larger at all.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Mother Nature don't straight lines, Broken moulds in a grand design, We look a mess but we're doing fine, We're card carrying lifelong members of the Union Of Different Kinds.

Posts

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,699
    Do you know which Gaultheria shrubs you have? Procumbens stay very low growing. If you grow them in pots they will not do much. Planted in the ground, they may sprawl outwards.

    Gautheria Mucronata and Shallon can be very slow growing, especially Mucronata, and in two years, I doubt they will show much growth. Some shrubs take a few years to settle until they put on growth. Especially some evergreen shrubs.

    Make sure they are planted in neutral to acidic soils and the soil is moist most of the time, with a fair amount of shade. Water when the weather is dry for long periods in the summer.
  • 1945crewood1945crewood Posts: 162
    Thanks for the help Borderline. Really appreciated.
    Mother Nature don't straight lines, Broken moulds in a grand design, We look a mess but we're doing fine, We're card carrying lifelong members of the Union Of Different Kinds.
  • 1945crewood1945crewood Posts: 162
    When I bought the plants, there was a "Sun" on the label as well as "Shade". The plants are in a sunny, south facing spot so I probably have them in the wrong place.

    Am I now better off leaving them in situ and finding a shady spot later in the year?

    Mother Nature don't straight lines, Broken moulds in a grand design, We look a mess but we're doing fine, We're card carrying lifelong members of the Union Of Different Kinds.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,199
    I'd agree - they prefer some shade, and certainly not full sun. They can take sun if the ground doesn't get dried out, so a semi shaded site is ideal, regardless of which type you have.
    I have procumbens in a few different borders - two which get late afternoon sun, and one border gets very little sun at all. I also have a mucronata which is in a north west facing border, so again, late sun.
    If you feel confident about digging them out and relocating, then go for it. Just make sure they're well watered before lifting and after planting, get a decent rootball with plenty of soil, and keep an eye on them   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • 1945crewood1945crewood Posts: 162
    Thanks for taking the time to reply Fairygirl. As always with this forum the help is really appreciated.
    Mother Nature don't straight lines, Broken moulds in a grand design, We look a mess but we're doing fine, We're card carrying lifelong members of the Union Of Different Kinds.
  • 1945crewood1945crewood Posts: 162
    Just as an update, I managed to move the plants last night after giving them a good watering. What I did manage to find was the old plastic label that came with the plants and they were of the Gaultheria Procumbens variety.

    Thanks again for all the help.
    Mother Nature don't straight lines, Broken moulds in a grand design, We look a mess but we're doing fine, We're card carrying lifelong members of the Union Of Different Kinds.
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