Abeliophyllum distichum - 2009

Very beautiful, especially against their present backdrop.

I've had this shrub several years, but it has never grown much and has few flowers. Any advice please ?

TT - although hardy, this needs to be grown in a sunny spot to ripen the wood. I also prune it hard after flowering or it finishes up very unruly. If you're not getting much growth on it, I suggest a heavy feed in early spring and see if that helps

Thanks.
What feed would be best please ?
It is on a trellis with a sunny fence behind. South-facing.
Not sure that the soil is of good enough quality.

If you're trying to encourage growth, something high in nitrogen but if the soil is generally poor, a more balanced feed would be better to give it all the nutrients it needs. My garden gets concentrated chicken manure (the product is called 6X and I can get it at a local Notcutts Garden Centre but it is not widely available)

Thank you. :o)

I'm a bit worried about mine, Andrew - it has one little sprig of flowers and a few buds on it! Should it be in full bloom now - or is this frost damage? It is in a sunny position facing west.

Maybe TT and I should both post photos of them for you to diagnose the problems?

How much new growth did it make last year? I think flowers are only carried on the new wood. Mine has flowered better now that I cut it back hard each year after the flowers fade. Given you are still getting snow and cold snaps, yours might just be late flowering this year