First, you must listen to me. My distress signals are clear if you know how to read them. Are my leaves turning yellow, wilting, or dropping prematurely? This could be a cry about my roots. They are sensitive; they despise being waterlogged. Soggy, poorly-draining soil suffocates my root hairs, leading to root rot. Conversely, if my leaves are crispy, brown at the edges, and I am wilting even after watering, I am desperately thirsty and likely scorched by too much sun or wind. Please also check the placement of my bed. A sudden change in my environment, like a new source of reflected heat from a wall or pavement, can send me into shock.
My revival begins at my feet. Test my soil's drainage. If it is heavy clay and retains water, you must act. Gently loosen the soil around my base, being careful not to damage my shallow, delicate roots. Amend it with generous amounts of well-rotted organic matter, like leaf mold or compost, and some sharp sand or grit to create the moist-but-free-draining conditions I crave. My watering needs are a precise balance. I need a deep, thorough drink when my top inch of soil feels dry, but I must never sit in a puddle. A layer of mulch (like wood chips) over my root zone will help keep my soil temperature even and retain precious moisture.
I enjoy dappled sunlight or a position with morning sun and afternoon shade. Full, blazing sun all day is too intense for me and stresses me greatly, leading to leaf scorch. If I am planted in such a spot, consider providing a sun shield or, as a last resort, planning my careful relocation when I am stronger. Regarding food, I am not a heavy feeder, but an imbalance can weaken me. A yellowing of my younger leaves might indicate a need for a specific, ericaceous (lime-free) fertilizer, as I prefer slightly acidic soil. However, never feed me when I am severely stressed, as my damaged roots cannot absorb nutrients and the fertilizer may burn them. Focus on fixing my water and soil issues first.
While it may be tempting to drastically cut me back, please be gentle. Remove only the clearly dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Make clean cuts just above a leaf node or a side shoot. This will help improve air circulation and redirect my precious energy to producing new, healthy growth. Do not give me a hard prune while I am in this vulnerable state. The most important medicine you can provide now is time. Do not expect overnight miracles. Once you have corrected my growing conditions, be patient and allow me the rest of the growing season to slowly recover and rebuild my strength.
