Wintersweet Leaves Turning Brown

Question

My Wintersweet is 5 years old. It is about 2 ft high. It has never bloomed nor gotten any buds. however I know it can take up to 7 years to bloom. We live in North Carolina zone 7. Our Wintersweet is on south facing wall, getting full sun. Our soil is predominantly clay. My concern now is that the leaves are turning brown and dropping. Am I losing it after all this time?

Answer 1

This plant needs well-drained soil, and your clay soil isn't doing it any favors. Even if you're watering regularly, if your soil doesn't drain well, the roots will drown and the plant will display the same signs as a plant that's starving for water. Drowned roots won't take up the water and send it to the rest of the plant. You may need to transplant the bush, or at least dig it up and amend the soil before putting it back in the ground,
Here are two articles that should help.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/what-causes-brown-edges-on-leaves-of-plant.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/wintersweet/wintersweet-plant-care.htm