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Hebe

Elizabeth96Elizabeth96 Posts: 15
in Plants
can anyone please tell me what's wrong with my hebe? It seems to be being eaten by something and it's all over the rather large shrub! It has been in the garden for a long time so perhaps it's had enough! Thanks

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    edited June 2018
    I'm no hebe expert, but your plant looks a lot more like a viburnum (possibly viburnum tinus) that's suffering from a severe attack of viburnum beetle.
    Some info from the RHS here

    PS - if it is viburnum beetle, there's usually a not very nice smell associated with it

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    I agree with Pete, Viburnum tinus plus the beetles


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Elizabeth96Elizabeth96 Posts: 15
    It's got white spores on the underside of the leaves as well?
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    That may be scale insects that are taking advantage of your poorly shrub.
    You can nurse it back to health, but get rid of the beetles first, give it a good mulch and keep it watered in dry weather. Some seaweed extract will work wonders as a plant tonic to help it recover

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Elizabeth96Elizabeth96 Posts: 15
    Thank you very much, I'll give it a go!
  • Elizabeth96Elizabeth96 Posts: 15
    And it did have a bad smell so you are spot on! Thanks
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    edited June 2018
    Best of luck to you and your viburnum - and it'll smell a lot nicer too :)

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Elizabeth96Elizabeth96 Posts: 15
    Just an update to Pete, I did what you said and it now has new growth all over and is looking healthy again , thanks!
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Hurrah!
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Thanks Elizabeth - I'm so pleased your viburnum is looking and smelling a lot better.
    Long may it last
    All the best

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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