Plant Doctor Archive

Water Gardens — Water hawthorn

MY water hawthorn plant used to flower really well in winter. This year, however, it seems to be suffering. One thing that I have noticed is that there are a lot of brown leaves on it, and they appear to be smaller than the others. What's the problem, do you think?

YOUR water hawthorn should definitely be in flower and looking its best in the winter months. I wonder of it might need feeding. Just the same as water lilies, they do love their food and a good feed with a quality water lily fertiliser will probably do it wonders. Remember to keep feeding regularly, about every two weeks or so, as they really power through it. Pick off those dead leaves and flowers like you would with any other plants. I would also advise you to give it the biggest pot possible as these plants like to have a deep root run.

Reproduced with permission from the former Weekend Gardener magazine. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the RNZIH.