Fertilization: Applications of Root Stimulator used as directed will help your new plants become adjusted to their new home. It will benefit from being fed with a granular slow release fertilizer such as Start-N-Grow or Pro-Grow Organic Fertilizer for continuing nourishment every spring.

"I think there is something wrong with my plant. Is it dying?" First, plants have sun and shade preferences. Is it getting too much sun or too much shade? Consider how you have been watering it. Review the entire section above on watering. Are you watering too much? Too little? Some plants are heavy drinkers and require more than usual watering. Some plants, like Juniper, prefer soil on the dryer side. Giving it extra watering when it it's getting brown will do more harm. Some plants are more prone to transplant shock than others. Do you give it regular weekly applications of Root Stimulator to reduce transplant shock? Read the page on planting to be sure you have planted it correctly. Could it have been planted too deep? Mulched too deep? Do you see insect damage or spots of fungus that are attacking it? If you're still stumped, take pictures. (print them out please, we have that over 40 eyesight and can't tell anything on those little screens) So bring your pictures and a branch or leaf samples for us to take a look. If possible come during the week when we're not so extremely busy.

Is it dead? Many plants are late sleepers. They stay dormant longer in spring than all the rest of the plants in your garden. Don't dig it up! Rose of Sharon, Hydrangea, Butterfly Bush, Perennial Hibiscus, Ornamental Grasses and many other plants that put their show on in the summer and fall are all late sleepers. Shhhhhh..... let them be.
If it was planted within the last year, it may be just delayed from transplant shock. Look at other plants that are exactly the same kind to see if they are very actively growing or just starting. It could be in soil colder than other areas and will be slower to wake up. An application of Root Stimulator and warm water may help. You can apply Organic fertilizer at this time or to apply synthetic fertilizer wait until you see growth and then apply it.

Scratch Test ~ If you think a part or all of your shrub or tree is dead, try the scratch test. To do the scratch test, using your fingernail or knife, lightly scratch a small spot of the top most layer of bark. If the wood under the bark is green, it's alive and will recover. If it is brown, that part is dead, continue to scratch sections further down the branch as well as other branches. Prune off portions that are dead, and tip prune the entire plant to stimulate new growth to fill in bare portions. See the Pruning pages for more details. To prevent winter damage in the future see the page Fall Winter Prep.
For more information on Plant Questions and gardening tips see our Plants - FAQ page.
Check here for  Plant Diagnostics Problem Search for a great source of helpful information