Zone 7b – everything is a mess – and this was all planted last year – we were hoping it would be lush but everything looks horrible

by EducationExpert5624

27 Comments

  1. kadelman2004

    First year they weep, second year they creep, third year they leap! Yours looks like it missed the creeping part and went back to weep… also looks dry. Get in a water system for summer.

  2. GreentHumboldt

    Water stress is almost always the answer.

  3. Human_Secret_4609

    Water more often. It does wonders.

  4. Alarming_Source_

    Everything is death mulched. Dig under the mulch and see if water is even making it to the soil. Even if it is your mulch is way too close to the crowns. Mulch is used to kill plants it will kill your plants if you over mulch them.

  5. Abject_Association70

    Don’t water without checking the soil around the roots first. Too much and too little water causes the same stress above ground.

    If you really want a lush landscape get a soil test and pay attention to the moisture around the roots. Too wet for too long causes root rot. Too dry causes drought stress.

    In general water deep but infrequent. Only water if the soil is dry.

    Remember that they are still young plants and need to get underground roots established before anything above ground flourishes

  6. You are suffocating all your shrubs you need to create a bowl around them and they also shouldn’t be buried 8” below grade

  7. weedhead52

    Well from the heat and no food, I’d say they look good

  8. SpaceToaster

    More water and more feeding. Look into a drip irrigation system on a battery, only takes a weekend to put in.

  9. jackattack6800

    As a non-professional, it’s hard to believe how much water is actually needed for lush landscape.

    We were really moist this year in Southwest Ohio and it’s amazing to me how much greener things were even though I try to water religiously all year every year.

  10. PinnatelyCompounded

    I recommend getting a soil test. There could be any number of problems going on there.

  11. Electrical-Long-8067

    Deep root fertilization to restore it’s exuberance

  12. IrishProblem

    It looks like an irrigation issue to me. Here’s my advice: the plants that are up against your house, relocate them – then bring your shorter plants closer to the grass curb and do a better border or more defined border and get some drip lines in there.

  13. NotBatman81

    Water, and prune as late in Fall as you can before they go dormant for the Winter. That will make them chunkier vs taller next year.

  14. oldfarmjoy

    This looks pretty normal for fall. I wouldn’t worry. Next year, maybe water more. A drip hose on a timer can work great.

  15. No expert, but in addition to everyone saying watering, I don’t think that mulch is doing you any favors. I would use a triple shredded mulch that locks together better. It’ll help retain water. That mulch is just to big that it doesn’t really hold water and just lets weeds shoot right through.

  16. Traditional-Top-4538

    Before messing with the water, it looks like the mulch is kinda of up on the plants. They need to breath at the root flare

  17. Watchfull_Hosemaster

    Perennials will need a few years to really take off. They probably need more water but wait until next year and the following year. They will start to look better and better each year.

    I plant several perennials every year and they barely grow the year of planting. The following year they do well but in year three, they really take off. Especially if they are natives to your area.

  18. External-Seesaw7238

    Mine look the same right now. Heavy clay soil and water retention because of it.

  19. Accomplished_Ad4504

    1) Planting too close to each other
    2) light drought stress
    3) remove bark from touching plant/tree trunk. Bark/mulch can have dyes in them
    4) regular attention and even fertilize

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