Planting with compost

Dedekind

Hello

Completely new to gardening, I just planted two plants I got as a present. 

First one is a jasmine trellis which I transferred from its pot to another pot filled with multi purpose compost.

Second one is a Pieris Japonica which I planted on the garden border. I digged up a hole twice the diameter of the original pot, filled everything with ericacerous compost.

My question is: is this fine? Should I have used anything else? Mix with soil? Honestly I did not know anything about compost or soil 2 weeks ago

Davesnave

Your jasmine in a pot will be fine for now. It might be better if it outgrows the pot to use something like John Innes no3 compost.

The pieris needs acid soil. Even if you surround it with ericaceous compost, if your soil and water is alkaline that will eventually affect it. Also, if a plant is in a compost pocket in a border, its roots will tend to stay in the compost and not grow out very well; they like an easy life!

Enjoy your pieris for now. If your soil is alkaline, it won't live long, but there's little point in fighting to grow things where they aren't suited to be, or spending money trying to change the conditions artificially.

Dedekind

Thanks. I will keep an eye on the pieris.. I am still in time to move it to a container if that will help.

In general what is the method to plant in a border? Mix compost with soil?

Another present I have is a japanese maple (it's a red leaf variety growing to apparently 2-2.5m). I have a lot of space in the front garden where I could plant it. Any particular thing I should be careful?  Do I also use compost mixed with soil?

Davesnave

The best method to plant in a border is probably to mix compost with the soil, if it needs improvement. My soil doesn't hold water well so I add composted manure as I plant things, but every soil is different. Compost on its own is weak and prone to waterlogging in winter or drying out fast in summer; OK in pots but not a long term solution.

You can put the pieris in a pot, but if your soil's alkaline, your tap water will probably be as well. Water off a roof is OK, but it's an extra hassle.

Japanese maple need shelter from strong winds and don't mind partial shade They can suffer wind and sun scorch.

Dedekind

Got it. Seems the pieris might have a slightly better chance in a container so I will move it given it's only been planted two days ago, so should be pretty straightforward. If it doesn't thrive because of the water, well there's not much to do about it.

Re: japanese maple, thanks for the strong wind suggestion. Front garden faces a road and I'm in London (slightly suburban). Normally we don't get much wind, but I can imagine it being there during one of the storms early this year and it might not be sheltered enough. Although to be fair, even the most sheltered parts of the garden seemed to suffer it..

Davesnave

With pieris and Japanese maple you have two quite demanding plants, but you can only do your best. Most plants are somewhat more accommodating. In a suburban area, with lots of gardens around, the greatest killer of potted plants is probably vine weevil larvae that eat roots through winter. Many people will not even realise what's happened, until it's too late.