Garden Wildlife UK

Anyone know what is wrong with my two Cottoneasters? No berries this year and most of the leaves have either fallen off or gone yellow or gone red?

Hi Bikey, the ones shown in the photo`s seem like the tree type. Had a quick look around and some variety`s will lose some leaves and change colour. They say that this type is not a true evergreen. They need light pruning and a sunny to shade spot. Also they don't like being to wet. With all the rain they may not be liking the wet cold soil.

I'm with Willpar about the drainage, Bikey. If, for instance, your cotoneasters are in high-grade compost and the rest of your garden is clay-based soil then that might be your first rethink .......
Any time, just ask

Placido wrote:I'm with Willpar about the drainage, Bikey. If, for instance, your cotoneasters are in high-grade compost and the rest of your garden is clay-based soil then that might be your first rethink .......
Any time, just ask

Just what I was going to say.

Thanks so much Willpar, Placi and Jacksparra. That all makes perfect sense to me. The area is one I excavated a few years back and is not the natural clay soil. It is a combination of good quality fertiliser and topsoil (dozens of bags of the stuff). In addition, the plastic Eagle Owl people over the back had a slopping roof to their shed installed two years ago and it runs off into my back garden where the Cotteneasters are (they didn't have any guttering fitted).
So, it looks like water logged, pruning schedule, location etc.
Willpar: Yes, they are the tree type. Should grow to 12ft max, but I may not have carried out the right pruning over the years.
Really grateful for this info team. I've never lost a plant yet and I don't intend to.
I'll have that rethink placi and see about relocating the Cottoneasters and moving some of my native plants into the wet zone.

Biker wrote:Thanks so much Willpar, Placi and Jacksparra. That all makes perfect sense to me. The area is one I excavated a few years back and is not the natural clay soil. It is a combination of good quality fertiliser and topsoil (dozens of bags of the stuff). In addition, the plastic Eagle Owl people over the back had a slopping roof to their shed installed two years ago and it runs off into my back garden where the Cotteneasters are (they didn't have any guttering fitted).
So, it looks like water logged, pruning schedule, location etc.
Willpar: Yes, they are the tree type. Should grow to 12ft max, but I may not have carried out the right pruning over the years.
Really grateful for this info team. I've never lost a plant yet and I don't intend to.
I'll have that rethink placi and see about relocating the Cottoneasters and moving some of my native plants into the wet zone.

Sounds like a lot of work old mate I'd be glad to give you a hand but a dicky back(from when I was fighting the red menace) holds me down

Oh gaaawwd, not The Red Menace AGAIN !!!

Know what you mean Jacksparra. Those red ants can be a nightmare to get rid of.

Biker wrote: Know what you mean Jacksparra. Those red ants can be a nightmare to get rid of.

Ask them when the shed's going to be finished