Hey guys!
Just wanted to write up something really quickly about recommended planting tips on websites, and even tags, while I'm thinking about it!
Since we've had much hotter and drier summers in our area, I've really noticed big changes in many plants. You may buy a shrub, for instance, with a tag that says "full sun" under light recommendations. So, you plant it on an area that truly does receive full, all day, hot sun. Midway thought the summer, if it's still alive, the plant looks like you've been microwaving it! I've also had plants now surviving the winter here that were previously annuals only. Recommendations are just that, and you have to do your homework regarding your yard and the conditions any plants in that area have to survive. Does the spot get morning sun, evening sun, dappled light, or full shade? Take a day and take some notes, it's easy to forget. Try to check your planting areas several times that day so that you know what's really going on in that area at different times of the day. Even then, some plants labeled full sun just can not withstand 6b and higher hot summer sun. Most plants that aren't full shade plants, prefer morning sun and some afternoon shade. Unfortunately we don't all have those perfect conditions, but we can find things more suited to the conditions that we do have!
So, don't feel bad if, after doing everything right, some things fail to thrive or don't make it. Try moving it to another area if you don't see obvious disease or insects, and make sure you aren't over watering. If you aren't in a hurry, you could leave your new plants in their nursery pots and put them in the areas that you plant to plant them. See how they do there for a couple of weeks before planting in the ground, and if they do well, it should be a good location.
Hope that helps!
Cheryl
