I moved into a house where the previous tenant recently planted a sky flower in the back yard. I live in south Texas so the ground is mostly sand and it is very hot. The sky flower was starting to wilt a little so I watered it two days in a row and it rained a little. It still was not looking up, but I didn't want to over water it so I waited a few days. I then thought it may need so food so I got some miracle grow and fed/watered it almost a week after the previous watering I had done. It is still very wilted and no blooms, but it is still green. The flower gets sun all day and I am not sure if I over watered it, or if it is too hot, or if the soil is just bad.
Someone please help.

Welcome

It is always best if you can provide a picture. Then the experts here know what they are dealing with.

Welcome to the forum, everyone is nice and helpful. Iam sure someone will be by to help!!! 😀

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Mindi

I had to look up 'sky flower.' Is Duranta erecta the plant you're talking about?

Golden Dew Drop (Duranta erecta 'Sweet Memories')

Yes it is a Duranta erecta. Here is a picture of it

Hi BloomingBobbi, from me too!

I'd say you 'Sweet Memories' Duranta is in dire need of water! That soil looks extremely dry and I'm almost certain that is what has caused the excessive wilting.

It looks in serious need of a drink. And what it that white stuff?

Looks like a bug trap like city workers put to track certain bugs.

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Mindi

I mean on the ground. The other is the plant tag.

Oh I didn't even notice that white stuff on the ground!! lol and the tag looked like a triangle lol.

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Mindi

The white stuff on the ground looks like sand to me ... we have lots of sandy soil here in Florida too.

Gotcha. Thanks, Lin.

It is sand. The soil is basically all sand. I wasn't sure if that was what was causing the flowers to wilt because the soil was so poor. How much water would you recommend me watering it? For example if I were watering it with a hose how long should I let it run?

Also, thank you everyone for your help. I am just getting into gardening and need all the advice I can get.

The easiest way to determine if it is watering time is to stick your finger a couple inches into the ground. If it's wet don't water. If it's dry then water. I use that trick on my potted Gardenia and it is nice and happy!!

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Mindi

If it's basically all sand, the water is just running through it and the roots are not able to take any in.

I think Sue is right, and your sandy soil is unable to retain moisture. Is this a beach area? You may be able to amend your soil with organic material, but if you're in an area with nothing but sand, it's probably going to just absorb the organic material without you having much to show for it. Apparently, Duranta species like rich organic soil that drains well. Your best bet may be to grow it in a container with an appropriate potting soil. Growing it in a container also means you may be able to shelter it if you get freezing weather.

If you aren't on the beach, you may want to start amending your soil to see how much it can be improved. Have a look at your neighbors' yards to see what their dirt looks like, and which plants they're growing. I'd think you could easily grow Gaillardia (Blanket Flower), and I wonder if you could also grow a heat-tolerant lavender such as 'Phenomenal'?

Plenty of other possibilities; I'd check with your local Native Plant Society or the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin for suggestions about ornamental natives that will like your growing conditions.

Good luck,
Virginia

I have very sandy soil down at my rural Central TX cabin property. My very young (4') Duranta Erecta was suffering from lack of water between our trips down there every 2-3 weeks. We've not had any rain in months here. But last two trips down we put a soaker hose around the trunk at a very slow drip and it has perked right up in the last couple weeks. Mine didn't look quite as dry and crisp as yours, but all leaves were wilting downward for sure and well on its way to dying. Will have to do the soaker hose from July-Sept from now on if this thing is to make it in our scorching heat, at least until it gets more established.