Yeah. The last could be a serious concern. Sounds like they may have been seriously overwatered with resultant root rot. Really need a photo to confirm, however.

Sounds like overwatering is almost certainly the problem.

Can you provide some pictures?

if they were flooded in a plastic bag.. why did you keep watering them.. they are not aquatics ...

and i dont understand how they were shipped that way.. since usps and all the delivery services are very insistent on packages that dont leak .... or have the potential to leak ...

talk to your seller and ask them why they were sent that way ... and put them on notice.. that if they dont survive.. you will expect replacement ...

how did you plant in heavy clay???? .. did you use the mound system???

ken

Ken, they were shipped moist packed in heavy plastic bags with soil and root systems in tact. I watered heavily each day without checking if it was necessary, assuming they were drying out because I was leaving them outside.

They were shipped nicely, I am certain there is some error on my part.

I didn’t use the mound system but made sure I didnt plant them too deep and have not watered since planting.

Depends on whether or not they have in fact been invaded by a water mold.

i agree with flora ... watch new growth .. and ignore previously damaged leaves... they will fall off sooner or later ...

and if the new growth prospers.. you are all set ..

the plants are stressed .. fert is not a response ... a few yellow leaves is nbd ...

glad you are fessing up ... it great to have good sellers ..

if i ever got things wrapped in plastic.. i removed all plastic immediately .. and if need be.. wrapped them in newspaper ... and stood them in a bucket with just a half inch of water in the bottom ... and held them somewhere cold or coolish .... never in sun .... for as many days as needed.. before i could plant them ... paper breathes... so air can get the the roots.. the water wetted the paper to keep everything inside the burrito moist.. but not sodden .. and the cold gave me a few days to get the job done ...

last question.. why so close to that huge tree .. or is that a camera trick ... did you have any trouble with tree roots .. if so.. watering might be tricky if the big tree grows roots into the hole you dug.. and out competes the babe for water ... its your job to keep them properly watered for this year ... and if tree roots.. NEVER fert them .. or the tree will grow more roots into the hole to steal that also ...

ken

It’s close to the tree but the camera angle makes it looks right it’s right on top of it.

Tree roots are a concern but I didn’t hit any when digging the holes for any of them. I’d like these to fill in the gaps and create a mixed border or hedge

Once again my view is not to worry. Aucuba is a classic shrub for gloomy corners where little else will grow. It can take shade, dry soil and even air pollution. It was a favourite of the sooty, smokey Victorian urban garden. The tree and its roots shouldn’t be a problem. This is an incredibly tough and forgiving species.