Why won't my Hebe's grow?

Hi

I bought 4 Hebe's about 6 months ago. I'd noticed they didn't seem to be growing, or blooming, but neither were they dying. I decided to move them as I wanted to put my opium poppies at the back for next year (being tall) and have the hebe's nearer the front (being shorter). I was worried about disturbing the roots but when I took them out of the ground earlier today I found the roots were still limited to the space they had had in the flowerpots they arrived in. So they haven't extended their roots into the ground around that. I'm guessing this is limiting their growth. Before I replant them, is there anything i can do to remove this restriction, assuming this is bad for them. Or will they take care of themselves when they are ready to grow?

thanks for any advice
Gavin.

 

Hi Gavin do you know which variety maybe it already flowered before you got them plus some dont grow very tall .

They like a open postion full sun maybe a little shade with very free draining soils thats the secret when growing in the border but they do great in pots I lost mine over the winter they all turned to mush !!!! with all the frost and snow

Spruce

 

Hi Spruce

Its a Heartbreaker which is supposed to grow to 0.75m and similar spread. But they are all still small. It's supposed to bloom in Summer but I wasn't worried as it was year 1 and I thought I might have to wait until next year.

What's concerning me is that they haven't really grown at all and that the roots are just a matted bundle, all within the space that the old flower pot took up. Shouldn't the roots have spread beyond and into the ground by now?

They are in quite a sunny position. I'm not sure how free draining the soil is but it doesn't get boggy or muddy there.

regards
Gavin.

 

add some superphospate to the hole?

some plants/shrubs just sulk for the 1st growing season, then do better from the 2nd

 

There are a few things you can do to help them establish and make new root growth.

Firstly, when you re-plant them, gently tease the matted roots loose all around the outside of the root ball, the plants may have been pot-bound when you bought them and pot-bound roots sometimes need a little encouragement to get going again.

Secondly, prepare a good sized planting hole, preferably quite a bit larger than the original pot size. Mix in some good compost and/or leaf mould as you back-fill to provide a nutrient rich medium around the roots, which should encourage the plant to put out new roots to take advantage of this.

Thirdly, plenty of watering during dry weather. You say the plants are in a sunny position and the area doesn't get wet, this suggests they would be prone to drying out. If the soil around the roots is dry for much of the time, this won't encourage new root growth.

 

Thanks Dim

They'll sulk even more now I've relegated them to a less important spot in the garden!

I had similar from the lavender that look liked they were fading fast after replanting but then burst back into life with new branches and blooms. So hopefully the Hebe's will follow suit. I've planted them near the lavender so maybe they'll take note

regards
Gavin.

 

Hi Gavin

Sorry to say but the hebe you have is grown for its folligae not its flowers , so hardly if not at all flowers.

So now we all know why

But do what the others have sugested they sound pot bound to me as well .

Spruce

 

Thanks Trunky

Hmm. I just came in from replanting and watering them. Without loosening the matted roots! I'm off to a muddy replant now!

regards
Gavin.

 

Thanks Spruce

At least it will look pretty even if the intention of being food for my bees and butterflies may fail. They'll have to feed on something else - there's quite a menu elsewhere in the garden so not a complete disaster

regards
Gavin.

 

Hi Gavin

hey it still has realy good leaves, and not a disater atall, did it say on the label or did somone tell you.

Big plus now you know why

Just so you know they are lilac when they do get around to it (if)

Any one sugest a good one for Gavin they grow which they know flowers well and hardy


Spruce

 

Hi Trunky

I have found one called pink elephant another of my childish jokes thouht you would like it as you have a trunk, I bet Ziggy like this


Spruce
ps Garden Beauty (blue) is a realy good one to grow and hardy