On Thu, 23 Jun 2005 08:36:48 GMT, "Derrick Bateman"
wrote:


"Derrick Bateman" wrote in message
...
I was given the above standard Salix about 3/4 years ago and planted it
in
my front garden. As the soil is chalky and very free draining I dug a
large
hole and planted it in a proprietary shrub compost.

Instead of growing into a large plant as the books say and as others
round
here have, the flower stems have become smaller and fewer and as of today
the few pathetic remnants that appeared this year appear to have died
off.
There is still life in it though because suckers frequently appear on the
stem. However the bark seems to have peeled off in places.

I understand that this plant needs lots of water which I have tried to
give
it but I admit to not watering through the winter, could this be the
problem? All advice appreciated.

Derrick

Just realised the name spelled wrong and subject did not explain the
problem.



The RHS encyclo says willows dislike shallow chalk soils.
The wrong plant in the wrong place?


--
Chris

E-mail: christopher[dot]hogg[at]virgin[dot]net