I would probably use something like growmore or fish & bone sprinkled around the roots for a good metre from the stem. Then if it doesnt rain water it in. I would do this in the spring when the plant starts to leaf. As when dormant it wont take anything in and the nutrients will just wash away.

Thanks, Seaburn. I understand they like leaf mould, and tried that last year, but it was only a pathetic amount. I'll take your advice in the Spring.

This plant needs fertile, neutral to acid soil - I'd ask where you've got it growing, and whether you added compost of some sort to the area before planting. If your soil is alkaline, it won't do as well either.

Thanks Bamboo . . . I had no idea about its soil preference. We have clay here, it's neutral/alkaline, and I don't remember what we added when planting, but usually add "tree and shrub" or multipurpose compost. Maybe I should try feeding it with sequestrine in the Spring? It's in a fairly damp bed, not in full sun, with a Cornus Eddie's White Wonder which has never flowered!!

I certainly would give that a try, the sequestrene I mean, it won't do any harm, but what makes you believe your soil is veering towards alkaline? Do you, or others around you, grow rhododendrons, pieris, camellia, skimmia in the ground successfully? Are there lots of blue hydrangeas about? If so, then you won't be alkaline there, most likely. We're on clay here, but the soil is neutral to acid, so the clay itself is not necessarily a guide. If you really think its on the alkaline side, empty your coffee grouts around the base of the Cornus - this has an acidifying effect too, though minor, and certainly no substitute for the sequestrene, but its quite a handy use for the blasted stuff, lol!
Let's not forget the other word though - fertile. If your soil is depleted in that area, that would cause slow growth too, so adding composts, Growmore, etc, would also make a difference.

Thanks Bamboo. Well, we used a soil tester a few years ago. No, we cannot grow rhodos, pieris etc. . . . have built a small raised bed for such things. I'll definitely try the coffee grounds . . . I'll try anything!

Sequestrene twice a year as well, if you know its alkaline.

Will do. Cheers, Bamboo.

Sounds a bit slow to me, too, ad that's nothing you can affect. It'll be a graft problem. Still, at least you know it won't get away from you! Good general feed in spring, then a mulch, will help immensely. Worthy

Many thanks, Worthy. Roll on Spring!