We planted this guy about 3 weeks ago and each day he seems to droop more and more. there doesn't seem to be any marks on the bark of any sort. There is some Browning on the tips of some of the leaves. We have gotten a lot of rain here lately I'm not sure if that could be a part of the issue... Any thoughts?

anyone have any thoughts?

Do you have the name of this Viburnum? That may help to establish whether it is normal for that species/cultivar. If you look at the top picture on this page, for example, this viburnum appears to have droopy leaves. I'm wondering if they droop as they age on your plant because the flowers look OK as far as one can tell from the picture:

http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~g...

Another option that comes to mind is whether it was watered well before it was planted? If not, even a lot of rain won't necessarily rehydrate the rootball (presumably it was acquired in a pot). Have you noticed whether it is less droopy first thing in the mornings?

Unfortunately I do not have the name. Which doesn't help much aye? I didn't water it prior to planting either but the soil it came in seemed damp when we got it. How moist would it need to be? I'm not sure if it is less droopy in the mornings but I have been monitering it all day and it has definitely gotten worse through out the day. Today is the first moderately warm day that we have had in a while.

The picture that you shared though resembles my viburnum quite a bit.

I remember the one in that picture from when I lived in a warmer climate, unfortunately I don't have one here because it wouldn't be hardy but I thought yours resembled it. But I can't directly compare. Did you plant it with an intact rootball? Sometimes what can happen is that the potting mix dries out and if you don't water it heavily before planting it isn't able to rehydrate even in fairly wet soil. That's what I was wondering about as a possibility. If it is a water insufficiency issue the plant would tend to look better in the mornings and then droop as the day wears on, then be recovered again by the next morning. Can you direct some water right at the base of the plant and see if that helps?

I do known that before planting we broke the root ball up so I am not sure if that is the issue or not. Better safe than sorry I will stick my hose at the base for a while. What else could be the issue if this doesn't do the trick?

Perhaps the roots were damaged and there aren't enough to supply sufficient water to the top growth? Is it in full sun?

Yes, it is in full sun. Oh no, I hope not. I watered last night and it still looks sad this morning. I wonder if it could recover from damaged roots?

How much did you break up the root ball, and was the plant in full leaf at the time? If a lot of root was lost or damaged that could be the problem. The only way I can think of around that at this point would be to try and shade it at least during the hotter part of the day if you can do that in any way, or at least spray it with some water during the hottest part of the day. There is a more drastic possibility but probably best to save that for a last resort.

It would help us a lot if you edit your profile and tell us where you are located. I'm in zone 8a, South Carolina. I think I have the same or similar viburnum, which I believe is Double file Viburnum. Does it look like this one If so, the leaves do droop naturally. Your plant looks fine to me. As with any newly planted shrub, tree, etc., it need to be well watered regularly for the 1st year or until the roots are established in the new location. You mentioned lack of rain, in which case, you do need to make sure that it gets the suggested 1in. of water weekly, especially if you live in a warm or windy zone, as the plant will dry out quicker that if it were in a cooler climate or higher humidity levels. I think that if all looks well as the root zone, you should just leave it alone and let it settle in its new home. to ATP and hoping that you have a good gardening season.

Mine has always looked glorious, until this year. We have had frequent and unexpected late frosts this year, and I think that affected the buds. Most of which blasted. The tree really looks sad. Your problem may not be due to your cultivation, but the plant could have been affected after leaving the greenhouse where it was grown. As I said, give it some time to settle in. It's hard for any plant to bloom and make roots at the same time. It takes a lot of energy, hence the need for compost or fertilizer and regular water. Always water well before fertilizing, otherwise, you risk damaging the roots, which will set the plant back further.

Glad you chimed in Deborah since you actually have the plant. Stumpedgardener did say it looked like Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum when I posted a link to a pic of it at the top of the thread. I suggested it looked like it had droopy leaves naturally but Stumpedgardener said theirs gets droopier as the day wears on. Does yours do that too?

Yes, it does, especially when it gets warmer/hotter. But the shrub/tree redeems itself in the fall when the leaves darken in color and I and the birds focus on the red berries. Sorry, my bad. I clicked to open the link in another tab, was interrupted and forgot to check it out when I returned from the pharmacy. I think my meds for my asthma/respiratory infection is messing with my brain.

Thanks, Deborah, hopefully that helps Stumpedgardener. No fun having respiratory problems Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks, Sue and I hope that the info provided by everyone involved helps reassure her, so that she's no longer stumped, but more sure about what's going on.