QUESTION:

I planted 2 young butterfly bushes about 3 weeks ago and I have been watering faithfully. However, the leaves are wilting. What have I done or not done?

ANSWER:

It is difficult to say what is going on. Leaves wilting could be due to several things:

1) Too little water. The soil is dry down at the bottom of the root area. Increase the watering time to increase the depth.

2) Too much water. The soil is mucky at the root area. Decrease the watering.

3) Wind is drying out the leaves. Put up a temporary screen.

4) The shrubs are planted too deep. The root ball should not be any deeper than it was growing originally.

5) The shrubs are planted too shallow. Same as #4.

6) The roots were root-bound in the pot. The roots should be loosened so that they will extend into the new soil.

7) If all is OK, then the shrubs are just in shock from the transplanting and will recover.

Usually, wilting is due to some issue with the roots. Don't be afraid to dig down next to the root ball to see what is going on.

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