Hello Everyone, I brought home a couple new plants on July 1 and planted them the next day. I have now noticed a couple have started to look a bit sad. The most concerning plant is my lilium Martagon, which has 2 of its 4 stems looking quite limp at the top close to the flower buds in places, and in other places the flowers have just dried up and are looking done for the season. However the other two stems seem to be fine, and one or two buds have opened, but then today I noticed that the leaves have gone a noticeably yellow. The other plants (lupine, phlox, butterfly bush and hardy alstromeria) are all looking a bit sad too. They just look a bit wilted despite having been watered daily and the flox and lupid flowers are all of a sudden drying up. I have attached some pics to help illustrate what I am trying to say. I'm in the Toronto area, zone 5. I'm thinking the plants are all just stressed and if I just leave them be and keep watering regulairly that they will be fine? Thoughts, advice, expertise? (pictures below are 3 of Lilium, 1 phlox and 1 alstromeria)
On further investigation I have noticed that the stems with the yellow leaves are also the ones with cripy flowers - so maybe they are just dying back for the season?
Your plants are definitely not just dying back for the season. You have chosen the worst time for planting/transplanting not only because of one, but because of two reasons: transplanting in the middle of the summer, and transplanting plants in bloom. Also, you should plant them immediately (unless they were potted plants) not wait until the next day. The stress they are showing is probably entirely because of that. Your other plants look healthy, so the stress does not seem to be soil related, unless you added something to the soil in the planting holes (you don't write anything about that). They will likely survive, although may have less strength to resist diseases or insect attacks in the future. It would be beneficial if you pruned the flowers and shaded the plants at least until they start showing signs of recovery. And don't water them every day, keep the soil moist, but not soaked.
Hello, We did mix home made compost into the soil in the holes. They were potted plants that came from the garden center. And come to think of it they were planted the same day they came home! Thanks for your help!
Even though this isn't the most ideal time of year to plant new plants, that doesn't mean your new plants will not only survive, but thrive. To tell the truth, the plants in your photos don't look all that bad, considering how recently they have been planted. Cut off any flowers if you haven't already and keep regularly watered. Martagon Lily - will likely disappear early for the season and may not even send up a shoot next year but do not despair. Mark the spot where it is planted and be patient. Chances are good it will reappear next year or the year after. Lupine - this may die back prematurely but, as long as the root is kept moist (not wet), it should come back next year unscathed. Phlox - must be kept moist. If it develops powdery mildew, I would be tempted to cut off all the foliage to the ground and dispose of it in the garbage. The plant may be smaller when it regrows next spring but should quickly make up for lost time. Hardy Alstroemeria - could perhaps languish for the rest of this season but as long as you have it in a bright, fast-draining position and give it plenty of water, it should be fine. If it seems to be struggling at the end of the summer, I'd be tempted to dig it up and overwinter it in a warmer place before replanting next spring. Butterfly Bush - if kept moist for the rest of the season, you should expect it to do well. Unless you are familiar with these plants, I recommend looking each up on the web and reading all the information you can find. Keep in mind that even established plants which do well with minimal water need to be kept moist for up to a year after they are planted. With a long, hot summer ahead, this will be a challenge. Good luck!
Hello! Thank you so much everyone. Well - the great news is after a thorough watering last night all the plants (aside from the lily) look good as new. I did cut off the yellowed bits from the alstromeria and lupine but even the phlox has totally come back so rather than cutting off the flowers I just pulled off the brown ones and it looks great! I did cut back the 2 sad looking lily stems to where the leaves start. Those stems have now gone more of a redish colour. But the other 2 stems (of 4) look fine and one more bud has bloomed. Oh and the phlox I got is apparently mildew resistant! Now for a new question - I just found out that I am moving to a place with a west facing sheltered deck (no roof, but high sides). I would like to take some of my plants with me, but they will be in pots and planters and outside for the winter. When should I transplant them? Fall? Spring? I'm going to guess not right now!!!
