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Yellowing interior leaves on a Pieris?

prairiemoon2 z6b MA

14 years ago

I planted a Pieris 'Scarlet O'Hara' in the spring. It was very healthy looking and remained so for awhile. At some point over the summer, I noticed a few interior leaves turning yellow. Considering it has been dry the later part of the summer, I assumed that was the reason and tried to step up the watering. I don't think I was able to keep it watered well though because no sooner would I water it, then that whole area would be dry again. It is near maple tree roots, which are well known for sucking up all the moisture. But even now when it has been raining regularly, there seem to be more yellowing interior leaves. It looks healthy otherwise. I didn't get a chance to take a photo but I could get one today if that would help. I was just wondering if there could be another reason, like PH of the soil or something? If it is just the watering, I will continue to try to soak it before the ground freezes. I assume I should remove the yellowed leaves. I wonder if this will make the shrub sparse now, or if I should consider doing anything to encourage more regrowth, in the spring? Thanks :-)

Featured Answer

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

14 years ago

i presume it is supposed to be evergreen???

transplant shock.. adjusting the leaf mass to the root mass ....

and perhaps the watering could have been a bit better ...

if its all interior.. i wouldnt worry all that much about it .... other than insuring it is deeply and PROPERLY watered for the rest of the season ... AND ALL NEXT YEAR ...

otherwise.. its all in the buds.. and the leaves near the end.. if they all look good ... then it ought to be fine next year ...

good luck

ken

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Comments (8)

schmoo
14 years ago
The leaves of evergreens in general are only meant to stay good/green/healthy for "X' amount of years...varies from plant to plant. When a plant is going into dormancy, it will often move some nutrients around and move them into the roots/stems/trunk of the plant...storing nutrients for next springs growth. "IF" this Pieris was planted and grown on the lean side (not much fertilizer or nutrients in the original root mass or new soil), it is possible to see more yellowing/leaf drop on the older leaves...just a natural cycling of the leaves. You can also see this on Pines in the fall,older/inner needles turning brown.....

Schmoo
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hydrangeasnohio
14 years ago
They will only grow in alkaline soil and should only receive morning sunlight. It is probably nothing to do with moisture. When there leaves start going yellow it is usually one of the two above reasons.
prairiemoon2 z6b MA
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks Ken and schmoo...Yes, it is evergreen. I can imagine nothing is perfect in my garden. [g] Not the soil, the light conditions, or the gardener. lol Thanks for the ideas to consider. I will pay attention and keep watering it well and observe how it responds.

Hydrangeasnohio.....I was trying to remember if there was something like that. I am a little on the acid side. Just over neutral I think. They are positioned for morning sun only so that isn't the problem. I suppose I could amend the soil around them to make it more alkaline. Thanks for that further info. :-)
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
14 years ago
PM2 -

Check other sources on the soil pH. Pieris is Heath family with rhodies, mountain laurel, blueberries, etc., all of which require acid (not alkaline) soil. Just don't want you to kill it . . .

My 'Brower's Beauty' (I think that's the variety) grows well in the same conditions as rhodies - even moisture, mulch, organic, well-drained soil.
mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
14 years ago
We tend to have neutral soil around here, and pieris has to be at the very top of the 'plants I have seen other people kill' list. It was very popular a bit more than ten years ago, and I saw a lot of them go in, brown out, and get pulled. Currently I know of none around here.
hydrangeasnohio
14 years ago
I AM SORRY MY MISTAKE!!! I was confused they do prefer ACIDIC SOIL!!!! NOT SURE WHAT I WAS THINKING!!
prairiemoon2 z6b MA
Original Author
14 years ago
I did look up the soil PH for the Pieris. What I found said it likes slightly acid, which is just what I have. Around 6-6.5 PH. So, I guess it probably is the watering. I will keep at it. Hydrangeasnohio, don't give it a thought, no problem! :-) Thanks everyone!

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