On 19/07/2012 17:10, uklude wrote:
I bought I Lavatera Barnsley plant at the weekend because on the label
it said suitable for all soil types, perfect for my waterlogged garden I
thought I have since read they prefer well drained soil, will it be ok
and eventualy grow big enough to absorb the water or will it die?

Here it is in its spot...


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It's going to be far from happy there. If your soil is usually better
drained than this, then I suggest you pot up the Lavatera (into a bigger
pot than the one it came in) and grow it on. When the soil has had a
chance to dry out, dig over that area very deeply and incorporate some
grit or sharp sand. Normally, I would suggest planting on a slight
mound of earth to increase drainage, but the windage on a fully grown
lavatera is considerable, so there is a danger of it being uprooted in
high winds.

You certainly need to rescue it first; then deal with the soil. If,
however, your soil is always or often that soggy then, yes, the plant
will die. It's a beautiful shrub. I do hope you have somewhere sunny
and well-drained so that it may thrive.

--
Spider
from high ground in SE London
gardening on clay