Help me plant this and maintain it... Please!

[jonwb]

Hi... In the past, I've bought these drought tolerant New Zealand Flax plants at HD and within a few months, they withered up and died. I probably over-watered them. This time I bought one from a local nursery to try again. I'm in SoCal and have loamy soil. This will get full sun starting around 10am each day. Could someone give me some planting tips and watering instructions to make sure I don't kill this one! It's a beautiful plant.

Thank you

 

[Meadowlark]

Howdy @jonwb . I have a couple of those and enjoy their vibrant foliage.

They like a sunny location with well-drained soil but can tolerate partial shade. They thrive in slightly acidic to neutral soil.

They should be watered regularly during the first growing season to help the plant establish a strong root system but once established, they are drought tolerant. A good well-drained soil helps in the event of over-watering.

 

[cpp gardener]

Are you uphill from Foothill Blvd in the rock and sand zone or downhill from Foothill?
If you’re in the rock and sand zone you will need to mulch fairly thick to help hold moisture in the soil.
Watch for scale insects at the base of the leaves. They can weaken the plant so much that summer heat will kill it.

 

[jonwb]

Howdy @jonwb . I have a couple of those and enjoy their vibrant foliage.

They like a sunny location with well-drained soil but can tolerate partial shade. They thrive in slightly acidic to neutral soil.

They should be watered regularly during the first growing season to help the plant establish a strong root system but once established, they are drought tolerant. A good well-drained soil helps in the event of over-watering.

Ok, sounds good thanks.

 

[jonwb]

Are you uphill from Foothill Blvd in the rock and sand zone or downhill from Foothill?
If you’re in the rock and sand zone you will need to mulch fairly thick to help hold moisture in the soil.
Watch for scale insects at the base of the leaves. They can weaken the plant so much that summer heat will kill it.

Hey neighbor... I'm two blocks north of Foothill. I'm redoing half my front lawn. Good tip on the mulch. Can I put some lite Triazicide around the base for insects? Or something else? I remember my first attempt with these suffered from that.

 

[cpp gardener]

Yes, that would help.
I used to work at Mt Fuji Nursery on Foothill, so I know the area fairly well.

 

[jonwb]

Yes, that would help.
I used to work at Mt Fuji Nursery on Foothill, so I know the area fairly well.

Ok great thanks. I miss that Nursery. A real shame that new apartment buildings took its place. Mt Fuji was much nicer.