Browning Hebe

r.hayden · August 2018

Hi there,

We've noticed that the large Hebe at the front of our house has started browning with dead leaves on some of its branches (see pictures)

. The rest of it seems fine. The bush is many years old and I have not seen it do this in the past. Any idea what might be wrong/how I can help it?

Could it be the heat we've had in the UK this summer?

Borderline · August 2018

I agree, it could be the heat but give them a good drink in the late evenings. Do this every 3-4 days whilst the weather is still over 25 degrees. These Hebes do that from time to time, and when you see these dried areas, you can prune them off. In time the neighbouring branches will grow over the gaps left. Try pruning back lightly. If they don't recover in the next 6-8 weeks, you can prune further back into the shrub.

Lizzie27 · August 2018

I sympathize with you. Mine has recently done exactly the same but as it was in a prominent position and was getting a little too large, I've cut it down completely and my OH has dug it out. I'm sure Borderline is right, but hebes do look a right mess while they are regrowing.

Fairygirl · August 2018

I'm about to take a couple out of the pots they're in. I could cut them back [only one is really poor] but I've decided to have a total change instead!
Sometimes they don't react very well to hard hacking back, but it can often be a case of 'it can't look any worse'. We haven't had the level of prolonged heat here, and the ones in borders are all fine,but I've decide to howk them out too

r.hayden · August 2018

Thanks all!

I actually took a closer look this evening and noticed a few (presumably new) green leaves amongst the brown ones... I wonder if this might be a good sign and if I should leave it alone for now (other than giving a good soak frequently as above)?

Borderline · August 2018

There is no rush in removing the brown bits. If you are seeing some new growth, leave it alone and wait. Most plants once established are quite resilient.

Red maple · August 2018

I’m glad I’ve seen this thread as I posted something similar yesterday about my hebe, so glad to see some responses here. I, too, have noticed some green appearing amongst the brown on closer inspection, so am going to leave it alone for a while apart from continuing to water it of course. Looks a bit unsightly at the moment, but it looks as if it might sort itself out.

Gardener John · August 2018

I think I have lost a Hebe due to drought and also three more long established shrubs
that are all in a south facing front bed, however I am waiting to see if they pick up now
its raining. If not they will be lifted out and replaced. Its all down to this beautiful summer.

Fairygirl · August 2018

The brown bits won't produce new growth as such, but if you get a good bit of new green growth appearing lower down, on the main stems, you can leave everything until that happens, and then remove the brown stuff.
It can sometimes be too much for it to cope with if you remove the dead, brown growth too soon. It is unsightly, but if you can live with it, and you like the plants, then it's worth giving them a bit of extra time.

I've occasionally done as Bordeline suggests - and carefully wired stems together to cover a gap. That can work very well, but when there's huge amounts of brown, it's pretty impossible!

duns1230pXBCG8J · July 2023

I have two Hebee plants in hanging baskets but they both have only dry leaves no green left at all. I'm sure I watered them in the dry weather we had some weeks ago. I'm new to looking after plants so not sure if they will grow back

Fairygirl · July 2023

They really aren't suited to hanging baskets @duns1230pXBCG8J - they're woody plants that need a good medium to grow in.
Anything in a hanging basket needs watered regularly - every day usually, even in weather which isn't particularly hot and dry.

Browning Hebe

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