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Planted 5 Privet Hedges last year, 2 have leaves on now, 3 don't and look dead... Is this normal?

mrleelee1mrleelee1 Posts: 23
in Problem solving
Hey everyone,

We planted 5 lots of privet hedges in our garden April/May last year. They all started well and had lots of leaves on for the rest of the year. This year though, only 2 lots have leaves on. The other 3 have none and don't look like they are going to grow any. They look really poorly. Is this normal the year after planting or are they dead?

I have attached a couple of photos (they were taken at different times during the same day, one before cutting and deweeding, one after). They were both bought from the same place, at the same time and are planted next to each other but with a decent gap in between as was advised when they were planted.

If anyone can help me out that would be very much appreciated. 

Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    You could try carefully scraping the bark at the base with a fingernail. If it's green underneath, the plant is still alive, if it's brown, I'm afraid it's dead. It looks as though the plants have too much competition from the weeds and grass underneath. Ideally you should have planted the privet in good soil about 60 cms wide and kept them well watered and weeded.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • mrleelee1mrleelee1 Posts: 23
    Hello,

    Thank you for your reply.

    I have just scratched the 3 leafless ones and it's white under all of them. I scratched the 2 that have leaves and they are green. Does white under the leafless ones mean they are dead?

    Thanks for any help you can give me.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Possibly. You could try cutting the dead looking ones back by about one-third, pull up or carefully hand weed all round them so you've got a biggish square of bare soil, add some diluted liquid fertiliser (as per the instructions) if you've got any and water it well in (2 watering cans full) to see if that will do the trick. I'm afraid I do think they've had it though and you might need to replace those 3.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • mrleelee1mrleelee1 Posts: 23
    Decided to dig the 3 out this morning. On closer inspection the wood did look brown when I scrapped a very thin layer away, then it was all white under that. I think they were dead :( I think I will buy some more, do you have any tips what do when planting the new ones? I can only presume we done something wrong from the start as 3 dead ones out of 5 isn't a great success rate! I will make sure I thoroughly deweed the area first. Do you recommend adding anything into the hole when planting?

    Thanks for any tips you can give me!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Clear a proper border for them, and make sure the soil is in good condition - dig it over a bit and add some compost and a bit of slow release food like Blood,Fish and Bone . Make sure the new plants are thoroughly soaked before planting, and tease out the roots if they're looking 'pot bound'. That just means if they look a bit solid and stuck in the pot. Water really thoroughly afterwards, and continue to water well for the next few months if you don't have regular, persistent rain. A good canful for each one every coupe of days, right in at the base. 
    A mulch is also useful - another layer of compost or some bark. That helps to keep weeds down and retain that moisture. Privet actually thrives with lots of moisture  :)
    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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