My roots are exceptionally sensitive to waterlogging. When you plant me in heavy, clay-based soil that retains too much moisture, you are essentially suffocating me. My delicate root system requires a constant supply of oxygen, which is pushed out by excess water. This leads to the rapid onset of root rot, a fatal condition I cannot recover from. To keep me healthy, you must provide a very well-draining planting site. Amending the native soil with generous amounts of grit, perlite, or composted pine bark is not a suggestion; it is a requirement for my survival. Think of my ideal home as a loose, airy, and slightly elevated mound, not a dense, wet pit.
You often assume I am a full shade plant, but this is a misconception that leads to poor flowering. Conversely, placing me in the harsh, afternoon sun will scorch my leaves and cause me immense stress. My preference is for dappled sunlight or a location with morning sun and afternoon shade. This provides me with enough light energy to produce my famously fragrant blooms without subjecting my foliage to a destructive, baking heat. The intense radiation from direct midday sun accelerates transpiration, drying me out faster than my roots can absorb water, leaving me wilted and vulnerable.
I am not a plant that enjoys being moved or having my root zone disturbed. Once I am established in a location I like, I wish to remain there permanently. My root system is fine and does not respond well to rough handling during transplanting. The shock of being moved often proves fatal, as I struggle to re-establish myself. Furthermore, please do not plant vigorous ground covers or other plants that require frequent digging directly around my base. I need a calm, undisturbed environment to thrive. Even excessive cultivation of the soil around me can damage my surface roots and cause me to decline.
I am not a heavy feeder. In fact, applying strong, synthetic fertilizers, especially those high in nitrogen, will do me more harm than good. A sudden surge of nutrients can burn my sensitive roots and force a flush of weak, sappy growth that is highly attractive to pests like aphids. This new growth is also more susceptible to damage from frost. If you feel you must feed me, a light application of a balanced, organic, slow-release fertilizer or a top-dressing of well-rotted compost in the early spring is more than sufficient. My main requirement from the soil is the correct pH, leaning towards neutral or slightly acidic.
My water needs are a delicate balance. While I absolutely cannot sit in water, I also cannot tolerate prolonged periods of drought, especially when I am first getting established or during a hot, dry spell. Allowing my soil to become completely bone dry will cause me to drop my flower buds and leaves as a survival mechanism. The key is consistent moisture, not saturation. You must check the soil moisture regularly, watering me deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry, and then allowing the excess to drain away completely. Mulching around my base with organic matter helps immeasurably by regulating soil temperature and conserving that crucial moisture.
