I have a Salix integra "Hakuro-nishiki" which is supposed to have pink-toned leaves on the variegated foliage... I did trim it back in early summer to try to achieve a smaller size for a patio. The foliage is variegated green and white, and the shrub seems fairly healthy but there is no pink tinge, only once did I think I saw the tone but nothing really happened. I have not trimmed it since May or June. I have just moved it from a perhaps too-dry patio area [a tiny bit of brown tips to some leaves] to an entirely different garden area with much more moisture in the soil and the soil is richer, I believe, and has a little more clay in it although it is nice and dark. Also more sun, although it is in a moister area. How to achieve the pink shading? Is there a soil additive? I believe the soil is a bit on the acid side, but I am not sure. The other small shrub is an abelia, low-growing and almost a ground-cover [which is fine, it is now planted in soil at the edge of a small fenced patio], with white blooms now for the first time this year [late August] on what I believe are newer branches. Does it bloom on new or old wood? It was in a slightly moist all-day sun-dappled-shade location last year and bloomed pinkish-white all summer, a lovely delicate small shrub, although staying small. It was moved to the patio this spring and planted in soil which is in shade except for a very hot sunny spell mid-day, and it can be dry if not watered frequently. Now, in this new location it only bloomed late on the shorter, perhaps newer branches, and the blooms are pure white. The leaves are all very rich green and look super-healthy. Are there any suggestions out there as to what is affecting these two shrubs? I would like the willow to be pinkish, but the abelia is fine the way it is...
Regarding the Abelia, a search for [GOOGLE]abelia "blooms on"[/GOOGLE] strongly suggests that it is new wood. From what I can recall from my own observations, I think that's the case.
note to any readers, from myself: the above willow "Hakuro-nishiki" is now beginning to show pink, some quite firmly pink, colour, as it is supposed to, although perhaps it is a bit late [mid-Sept.] and will soon lose leaves entirely perhaps. So, it likes moist soil with a bit of heavyness to it and more all-day sun but not total exposure to wind [protected by back-plantings on the eastern side of it by taller laurels].
I've read also that if you trim it back a little that is when the pink and white leaves appear. Also, I have had mine for almost all summer sitting in my creek which is really a run off creek from my irrigation water. I have made it into a lovely sunny brook with perennials, etc. and different sizes of river stone from my yard to distinguish it from a ditch which my 16 year old teases me about. I haven't decided where to plant it yet, so I would set it in the creek and it would get watered well and then as other neighbors used their ditchwater leaving me at the end of the line without extra water to run off into the irrigation pond and then my sunny brook. I just can't decide the best place to plant it yet. Either the edge of the irrigation pond or the creek. Decisions, decisions.... Is your abelia the Sivler Anniversary one. I bought the last one from Home Depot. I love it. Not planted out just yet, but will get there. BTW, I scored on the hakuro Nishiki Willow as it was a 3 gallong container for $8.00. Other gallon landscape plants were $2.50. Needless to say, I bought a lot of landscape plants, which helps since i live on an acre and most of it is lawn.
