They do look tightly packed not alot of space to settle, I expect you get alot of run off when you water. Once established they will damage tarmac/ paving so you will need to keep up with the pruning.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
It's the end two in the most exposed position that are struggling, so that suggests the wind is what's making the difference.
Firstly they do need to be firm in the ground - the roots can't grow out and get established if they're moving around - so stake those two temporarily if you really can't bear to cut them back.
Secondly, wind (even cold wind) is more drying than you might think so give each plant a full can or bucket (2 gallons/10 litres not a tiny can) every other day or so even if it rains, because the leaves act like an umbrella and stop rain getting into the roots until they've spread out into the surrounding ground. Pour it on slowly so that it soaks in and doesn't run off.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
@fairky You don't need to water every day. Use a can as said and water slowly at the roots. When puddles appear on the surface that drain very slowly you will know you have watered well. This could be one can per plant or four or five per plant. Not an exact science and it can change depending on weather. A much better idea than a can a day, it is about knowing the plants needs which can vary. You want the roots to go downwards not come to the surface looking for water. You may find once a week is enough at present As the season progresses they will need more, continue through to the autumn. You need to continuously check them until they establish. It should be simple but watering properly isn't always that easy. Soils and composts that dry out can be difficult to rehydrate and sometimes not possible.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
We're all saying the same thing @GardenerSuze - water properly every few days. Wind dries out foliage as much as sun. Mulch when properly watered. There are no short cuts. There's far too many plants in the bit beside the building in that first pic too. 3 would have been plenty if thoroughly watered, cut back and allowed to fill out. If they'd been half the size, 5 would have been ok.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl I had a tree surgeon remove just one that was old. That was ten years ago you can still see the trunk at soil level it hasn't rotted at all . I just stand a pot on it.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
The Portuguese laurels are used quite a bit here for narrow hedges, in new build estates. There's one quite near me - big houses, smaller plots. They're good because they can be kept tighter than cherry laurel, but are evergreen, so it's a good alternative to the beech hedging that's often used. It establishes very easily here, up against garage walls or boundaries, as it gets enough water and doesn't have many problems. There's a collection of very large houses just being built up the road - all squashed together as is the usual scenario nowadays. They were doing the new footpath recently [it had been a field for decades, with just a small grass verge] and had a load of pallets full of P. laurel sitting there. It's all been planted now - right along the boundary with the footpath/road. Looks good so far
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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It should be simple but watering properly isn't always that easy. Soils and composts that dry out can be difficult to rehydrate and sometimes not possible.
There are no short cuts.
There's far too many plants in the bit beside the building in that first pic too. 3 would have been plenty if thoroughly watered, cut back and allowed to fill out. If they'd been half the size, 5 would have been ok.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
It establishes very easily here, up against garage walls or boundaries, as it gets enough water and doesn't have many problems. There's a collection of very large houses just being built up the road - all squashed together as is the usual scenario nowadays. They were doing the new footpath recently [it had been a field for decades, with just a small grass verge] and had a load of pallets full of P. laurel sitting there. It's all been planted now - right along the boundary with the footpath/road. Looks good so far
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...