Question
QUESTION: Hi, I live in lower Westchester County NY. I just purchased a Euonymus alata
Compacta, aka ,Dwarf Burning Bush. This was just plated, w/about 2 ' around
it to grow, in a spot that will get 3-4 hours of sun. When do i need to feed,
and what kind do you recommend?, thanks
PS-also, my gardener just came around to blow the tree  leaves of of the
lawn, also, blowing off  many leaves from the bush, they will grow back,
right?, I hope, thanks

ANSWER: Hi Craig,
Thanx for your question.  You can side dress the dwarf burning bush now with a little well-composted manure available in bags at your local D-I-Y or hardware stores.  In the spring, after the last hard frost, give the shrub another good, heavy side-dressing of well-composted manure around the base and water well.  About mid-summer, do the same thing.  This should do the trick.  As far as leaves coming off of the shrub now?  Not to worry.  They'll return next spring.  I hope this helps.
Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Tom, thanks so much-if i can not get manure, what else would work?-also, I
have a purple sand cherry, and some variegated shrubs, as well as azaleas, what
do you suggest?-

Answer
Hi Craig,
Thanx for your question.  You should be able to get well-composted manure in bags from the DIY or hardware store.  The manure has been composted so it does not smell bad and is more like a soil blend.  If you still can't find it, fertilizer spikes rated for shrubs would be good or a balanced 12-12-12 fertilizer, following the directions for application on the package.  I would use the same for the purple sand cherry and the variegated shrubs.  For the azaleas, you'll need an acidic fertilizer like Miracid or an Azalea-specific food like Jobe's or Azalea and Camelia food by Monrovia Organics.  I hope this helps.
Tom