I don't have any experience with Dirca p., I see it's naturally from moist conditions. Is is adaptable to dryer (regular garden) conditions? Apparently it can grow in sun or shade, differing cultural advice out there. Up til now, it was probably surviving on it's strength from the previous growing conditions at the nursery it came from. Watering is an art, best way I've learned is slow, and deep for best establishment. Place hose end at base on a drip, like from a faucet, forget about it for a day, turn if off next day. Area will be well saturated. Mulch it. Wait until it gets dry again do the same thing. Don't know if this helps..

Thanks for the advice, Paula! When I got the plant, I went by the nursery's suggestion, that this plant would do well in shade in a garden. Maybe they made a mistake, since I'm reading more and more of what you said, that this plant likes wet conditions. I'm more careful now than I was last year with researching plants before buying, but that's a bit too late for this little guy. I'll try drip watering with it, hopefully I can work out some sort of a compromise with it, even though it would much rather grow by a stream or something like that. Thanks again!

This is my first year with leatherwood, but I would echo some of the above. I believe the plant comes from shady, moist, woodland conditions, and it being relatively new to garden settings, there aren't any cultivars selected for drought-resistance, etc.

My understanding from Cullina's book is that it likes shade (leaves bleach in stong sun) and consistent moisture, but not standing water. Growth is about 6 inches in all directions per year. I noticed when planting my container-grown plant that almost all of the roots were near the surface, so it doesn't look like a deeply-rooted species.

I think you're right to go with the drip irrigation to try to maintain more consistent moisture, esp during hot weather. good luck!