Unforunately, this is a common query we get on the forum. These big plants benefit from being cut right back, and it's why it's not worth the money buying them. They'll continue being spindly for a decade. Suppliers don't tell you that though, as they make good money from it. They know perfectly well that many people want an instant hedge, and pay a lot of money for it too. There's a house near me exactly the same. The previous owners put a new hedge of tall laurels in, as a screen from the road, when selling. It still looks awful. The new owners have been there at least 8 or 9 years. They'll produce new growth and be bushier if you cut them back as the others have said, and you'll have a far better hedge in the end. If they've been rocked by the wind, just firm them back in as well as you can. Watering is key for now, as already stated, and bear in mind that wind dries out the soil, not just sun and heat. Good luck with it There's a previous thread here by someone else who had the same problem, and he followed he advice given, and posted the results. I'll se if I can find it for you to take a look at.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I'd take them back to below the height of the fence, cutting just above a bud, this will thicken the hedge (it will give several points of growth on each stem instead of one or two) for when it grows above the height of the fence this year (if they're happy they could stick up to a foot of growth on this year),
I'd also check to see if the root balls are still firm in the ground, as they may have been rocked loose by the wind
Make sure you water regularly in the summer, and after any long dry spell. A thorough soaking once a week is much more use than a quick splash every day.
yes, no time like the present, it'll reduce the stress on the roots (they have less plant to try and support) looks like it might get a rain over the weekend as well. it will look odd for a few weeks, but once they start growing they'll bush quite quickly
Posts
There's a house near me exactly the same. The previous owners put a new hedge of tall laurels in, as a screen from the road, when selling. It still looks awful. The new owners have been there at least 8 or 9 years.
They'll produce new growth and be bushier if you cut them back as the others have said, and you'll have a far better hedge in the end. If they've been rocked by the wind, just firm them back in as well as you can.
Watering is key for now, as already stated, and bear in mind that wind dries out the soil, not just sun and heat. Good luck with it
There's a previous thread here by someone else who had the same problem, and he followed he advice given, and posted the results. I'll se if I can find it for you to take a look at.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/656523/help-needed-please-with-laurel-hedge-issues/p1
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Can I cut now just after being planted one week.
There are some branches as thick as a brush shaft, should they be cut down to?