Hi Brother C, Thanks for the pics. I still don't know how to post pics on here. The Celestial is doing well so the root competition can't be too bad. I have Daylilies through out my cottage garden too. My LJS is at the fence between ours and the neighbors yard. Right at the point in the fence where LJS grows, the neighbor has an old flowering Quince that is right against the fence. It is 10'x10'. I have to get back to the fence and prune out the large branches that reach over the fence to shade my beds. Even with the pruning, the height is a wall of shade parts of the day. So you see my LJS has had to fight for good health as much as your's does. All you can do is practice the best rose culture you can and be patient.I did plant a Hosta and Fern at the base to shade the roots and keep the moisture. I can't say what help that was but it is what I did. Elizabeth

no, I have it in Sacramento in full sun. It could probably take some shade, but it wouldn't be as vigorous... as any other shrub that likes full sun.

Yeah not looking too good Pal, Aussie natives, and I reckon even South Africans, (leucadendrons) can be difficult outside of their native habitat. Having said that both of those like similar conditions; neutral to slightly acidic soil, excellent drainage, and they hate root disturbance. In fact you can easily over care for them - both are very tolerant of dry conditions. Many also are not happy in humid conditions. Lime, by the way, will yellow the leaves and eventually kill them so I reckon the first thing Id do is check the ph. in the soil. Oh, and if you feed them use only fertilisers suitable for Aussie natives, and use it sparingly. Other than that good luck with 'em B.

While Australian natives are adapted to very low phosphorus soil conditions, only a minority of them are truly P-sensitive. Others don't need it, but can tolerate it in the soil, especially if the roots have adapted to those conditions (as opposed to sudden fertilization) and depending upon the availability of the phosphorous (some soils have higher fixation levels, making the nutrient less able to be taken up by plants). Protaceae is probably the most sensitive to phosphorous (Grevilleas are included here), as are many members of the Rutaceae family. It is also seen in some Mimoaceae and Fabaceae. I have had to fertilize some Australian plants, but it needs to be done carefully and with the correct ratios for the conditions and species. Although they don't tend to die with some deficiencies of Nitrogen, Potassium and micronutrients, their growth rate can be slowed. Plants that are being grown in areas where they are likely to experience P-toxicity often respond very well to supplements of chelated iron or iron sulphate.