How did you use it? It would be very unusual for fertilizer to kill plants unless you had put it on the leaves. It is supposed to be worked into the soil, and the label warns to wash off leaves. Like other granular fertilizers, it is activated by water so I don't understand the "crumbled by rain" comment.

Most native shrubs and trees don't need fertilizing. New seedlings might need some; I use liquid fertilizer, diluted to at least half strength for seedlings. A granular fertilizer like Bayer is not usually used for growing seedlings; you could mix into the garden bed before planting out, being careful to use no more than the recommended amount and watering in before planting.

Tim, what's notable to me here, is that the plants the fertilizer killed were all variegated, in the case of the first two, and an Alba, or white version of the third. Variegated plants, and, sometimes, Albas, are usually lest robust than their higher chlorophyll content kin. That's why they are more expensive; takes longer to propagate them due to their slower ways.

Did every plant you used the fertilizer on suffer badly?

Do bring up with Bayer this issue again, but specifically mentioning what I've told you about variegated plants. I'd phrase it as a specific question thus, and ask them to please pass it to one of their horticulture experts, more as a question than a complaint. Their formula may just be too high octane for the slower variegated plants. I'm very curious about this, and will ask horti folks I know if they have an answer. Thanks for the Heads Up.

It has been drilled into my head that you shouldn't use any stronger fertiliser than humus on native plants. They evolved with generally poor soils.

I've also heard that white/variegated versions of some plants are inherently weaker, and I've seen it in my own garden. I have 3 strong, robust bleeding hearts in my garden, and 1 of the white flowered variety. The white one is so small and spindly compared to it's normally coloured relatives. But it comes up and blooms every year, bless it's heart.

It has been drilled into my head that you shouldn't use any stronger fertiliser than humus on native plants. They evolved with generally poor soils.

I've also heard that white/variegated versions of some plants are inherently weaker, and I've seen it in my own garden. I have 3 strong, robust bleeding hearts in my garden, and 1 of the white flowered variety. The white one is so small and spindly compared to it's normally coloured relatives. But it comes up and blooms every year, bless it's heart.

I put rose and plant food on cherry bushes. Then I read on the label not for food usage. What Can I do now? The
branches has cherry's already but small. Is it going to be safe to eat.