Cornus looking sick .

I have raised this thread earlier in the summer and one answer was it needed more water.
However my Cornus "China girl" planted last Autumn still looks sick !
It seems to be permanently in a droopy state with the leaves having a purple tinge to then .
It was planted next to where a largish plane tree was taken out last year and I don't know if this has any bearing on it . The ground is relatively quick draining
Any suggestions please .

 

It is looking wonderful.
Really strong and healthy.
This is what Cornus do...turn beautiful colours in the autumn before the leaves fall off.
The leaves often hang down like that.

Cornus autumn colours - Google Search

I presume the roots of the Plane tree were removed if you planted the cornus near there.

All trees shrub should be kept clear of grass/weeds round the trunk.
Incase you haven't done it yet may I suggest you give it several gallons/Litres of water...them cover the area with composted bark to a depth of 3-4 inches.see link.
Making sure it does not actually touch the trunk.
It has a double effect...
1. Keeps moisture near the roots.
2. Suppresses weed growth.
3. It looks rather nice.

 

This reassures me! I have a Midwinter Fire cornus, planted last winter, and regularly worry that the leaves are drooping and it looks a bit sorry for itself. But actually like yours it otherwise seems strong enough. I had read that they need a lot of water in the first couple of years, so do give it a good watering regularly. Now I will try a mulch too.

 

Cornus sanguineus Midwinter Fire is a stunning one for the colour of the leaves in the autumn and the bare stems in winter.
But be aware that it can sucker to form large straggly patches.

Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' - Google Search

Buy dogwood Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire'

 

Midwinter Fire, ironically, can also be very fickle and not grow well. Never seems to grow well down here and suspect it doesn not like the maritime comditions. Give it another year to do better...if it looks the same next summer replace with something else
Martyn, I think the soil there is impoverished for the reasons you gave. Did you add compost of any kind when you planted China Girl? If you skimped on this I would dig it up and enrich the soil. Did you loosen rootball at planting time? Or soak it before planting? This is essential...if rootbound and congested your plant will struggle to take up and hold water.
After a year in the ground your China Girl should not be drooping like that in my opinion. The purplish tinge suggests a nutrient deficiency thus confirming the impoverished state of your soil
Replant, feed .....fish blood and bone...and mulch

 

will try to remember to go down to the valley gardens today and look at mine. mine is the one that the branching is a beautiful red. have some neat pix of it encased in the winter with sparkly ice.

 

Thank you @Verdun. Sounds like a good plan! It was an unexpected present - not something I'd've chosen for myself, and I rather struggled to find a place for it. I did enjoy the winter colour, but could definitely take it out without too many qualms if it's still struggling next summer.

 

@martyn bromley I found some photo s of your China girl as I've never seen one - she is stunning when pruned as a small tree ....also as seen in the other pic the leaves are ...as rightly mentioned by @Silver surfer lax in growth habit something that is particular to her as we know can see - if I could grow one as a small tree I would be delighted to make room for one in my garden - thanks for sharing and making me aware of this beautiful plant - that's what I love most about GC the plant's you would never be aware of growing in fellow gardens in the UK

 

It would be good to see your plant when it colours up properly Martyn.
Do add another pic of it to this thread.

There are many wonderful Cornus to be found.
eg.Cornus kousa Miss Satomi.

cornus kousa miss satomi - Google Search

Cornus nutallii ascona.

cornus nuttallii ascona - Google Search

Cornus Eddie White Wonder.

cornus eddie's white wonder - Google Search

Cornus florida and several named cultivars.

cornus florida - Google Search

We grew many many different ones.
They grew well and were healthy but several showed this typical droopy leaf habit.

For more pics see my alphabetical flickr album pics under Cornus...all grown in our South Wales garden prior to our move in 2013.

Plantaholic Sheila’s albums | Flickr

 

Thanks Silver surfer -as always your answers are great .Thanks again .Martyn

 

Thanks for your advice, I will check out these points .

 

Thanks for your observations Verdun .I will follow your advice and see what happens .