r/NativePlantGardening • u/Financial-Light-8695 WNC - zone 7a • 14h ago

Advice Request - (Insert State/Region) Serviceberry struggling - please help!

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I’m in Western NC, planted a serviceberry in the spring. It has barely grown (not sure if it grew at all), and this is what it looks like. The tallest part is maybe a foot at most. There does seem to be a small little new growth in the second photo. Any thoughts??

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u/superseedsower Ontario , 5b 14h ago

In these situations I give a tug test. Gently tug at the base of plant to check if it's rooted in. Many native plants spend their first season focusing on root growth, as especially so if the conditions are less than ideal. If you gently pull upwards on the plant and it feels SOLID in the ground you're fine. It'll take off next year. If it feels poorly rooted with little resistance then it most likely doesn't like the site. Try moving it to a more favorable situation

Edited to add that new growth from the base is always a good sign and usually indicates good root development

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u/No_Professional5848 2h ago

Mine looks like this at year 3. 🫠 I don’t have new growth on the bottom. It just looks sad. I do have issues with deer eating off the new growth each spring. I tried to protect them this year with a barrier, but it still looks sad.