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Pieris Japonica dying

Stu HartStu Hart Posts: 5
in Problem solving

Hi,

I planted a Pieris Japonica (Mountain Fire) last year, but this summer it seems to be dying and is totally dried out. All the leaves have dried and it looks very sad. 

I think the problem might be that the soil is clay and it became waterlogged when we had lots of rain earlier this year. 

Can anyone recommend how I can revive it? I guess digging it out and re-potting might help?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Stu

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,147

    the only thing I know about pieris is that it needs acid soil. Hvae you got that?



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 36,166

    Pieris also like shade.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601

    Rules are a funny old thing. I have a pieris growing in slightly chalky clay in full sun and it is about 30 years old and doing fine. It is raised slightly to avoid waterlogging and I would bet that is where your problems lie. If it is as bad as you suggest it may be dead but you could always try potting it up and giving it a chance. Waterlogging really does kill off a lot of plants and if you can't correct the problem, you need to buy plants that are tolerant of wet conditions. It's difficult with clay because it dries out in summer so bog loving types won't do. 

  • Stu HartStu Hart Posts: 5

    Thanks for all the replies...I've dug it out and put it in a pot with some ericaceous compost. Hopefully that will rescue it if not too late! 

    I think it must have been the waterlogging that has affected it. The clay soil in that particular part of the garden is a nightmare! 

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