Couple of plants in trouble. Thoughts?

I have two plants that are suffering and I'm not sure why. And it's the kind of thing, that - if I've got it wrong - I'm going to make it worse.
Any ideas appreciated!
Here's the first. This acanthus gets about 2 ours of afternoon sun. Rest of the time is bright shade. I've been watering it regularly but then again, we haven't had rain in nearly 2 weeks, so there's not much moisture other than what I'm giving it. Until a couple of weeks ago it was nice and full and darker green. Question: Is it fading due to too much sun, too little water, too much water, or just too much heat and humidity?

If anyone has experience with them here, please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks!
Deb(2nd plant will follow in a sec)

This fella (fatsia japonica) gets about 2 hours of mid-morning sun. It's planted among ivy which seemed to suit it in the winter and spring, but as you see, the lower leaves are going yellow and dropping. And the upper leaves aren't as open as they were before. When I was away for a week, DH accidentally left the drip line on in this area for several days, so even with the ivy in there, it was pretty wet. My first thought was too much water. An ideas as to the culprit here?
Thanks!
Deb

Wish I could help you. I've got a Loquat the appears to be fried!!

Debin - while I don't know squat about Bears Breeches I found this site had some very cool info about half way down the page on what it used to be used for...hopefully someone will be able to give you concise advice on whats going on....

http://www.hillviewhardyplants.com/acanthus.lasso

Tcinmb: Thanks. Oddly, my Loquat seems to be ok. :) Hope yours recovers!
Rednyr: Thanks, I'll check out the link.

Deb

are the leaves on the fatsia new or from last year?

Diehrd: Good question. I do believe they're from last year.

they could be just dying from old age, and hopefully it will put out some new ones soon. the ones i see usually put out a nice big flush in april or may

Should I cross post this in...tropical plants maybe?

well... its not really tropical, but i think that is the most closely related forum on here so yeah


isnt there woodland gardening too???? maybe there?

Hey Deb-

I have both those plants and here are my thoughts.

The Acanthus may want a bit more, but less intense, sun. Or, you could just try fertilizing it and hope for the best. ;*>

The Japanese Aralia/Fatsia wants evenly moist soil and no sun. Mine sits in full shade and is dark green and happy as a clam.

Jenny

Thanks Jenny. I have two other fatsia that are in shade and very happy, but I was hoping this one could take a tiny bit of morning sun. Maybe that's still too much for it. Bummer! Don't want to move it. :)

Since I first posted the question, the Acanthus does seem to be ok with lots of water, but is getting wilty at the end of the day - so I may have to move it to a "dappled" shade situation. If it doesn't really perk up in the next week, I'll have to rethink it, I guess.

Thanks!

My Fatsia do that every year too, Deb. I'm with diehrd---think it's natural sloughing. I just lop off the faded leaves---there's always lots of new healthy top growth.

Thanks. I won't panic....yet. :)

I planted my Fatsia in April. Oh- it wilted and I and I fretted and asked for advise. I tented it and watered it. After about 2 weeks it perked right up. It gets a little morning sun and a lot of afternoon sun and seems to be doing fine now.

I'm not sure what I bought in Ohio several years ago. It was slow to come up in the spring. I was able to drag a small piece with me when I moved to NC last year.

Here is a link to the plant as it grew in Ohio in my flowerbed. Previously, I had seen it at Holden Arboretum in Mentor, Ohio and they are not far from Lake Erie, so I know it can grow in cold areas. Hot areas? I don't know. I suspect mine is Acanthus spinosus. Just love the plant really!!

Here? Mine is in shade almost all day as it was in Ohio. The farther south you get, I believe you should have more shade and especially in the afternoon. It is in "amended red clay", whereas it used to be in "amended brown clay". What kind of soil do you garden in?

Karin ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Karin, looks like bear's breeches? Really nice:-)

Karin: Mine is also "amended clay" :). I'm pretty sure you're right about it needing shade.
Deb

Mrs. Tigfish,

Does that mean it probably is (1) Acanthus spinosa or (2) Acanthus mollis? LOL

I think it is probably Acanthus spinosa ...

Karin ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Karin: I'm not certain what yours is but I'm pretty certain it's not A. mollis, which is what mine is. Leaves are diff.

Deb

One look at those leaves pretty much cinches it...

Sorry I didn't answer, Karin:-) Been outta town and just arrived back. See that great minds had my back, though, lol!
Bev