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Rapidly yellowing Cherry Laurels - please help!

stuart.a.brucejvt1Avk7stuart.a.brucejvt1Avk7 Posts: 5
in Problem solving
Dear fellow gardeners, 

I hope everyone is as well as possible during these difficult times. 

I would be very grateful for your help please, with a query similar to that in other threads, but with some differences.

We purchased and planted (about 1 m between) 6 medium sized Cherry Laurels in December 2019. When planting (Hackney, London), we separated the roots a little (they were tightly bound), and added blood and bone and rootgrow into the base soil. The winter was quite wet, so other than a few initial soaks, we didn't need to water them too often. The Laurels flourished during spring, growing at least half a meter each. However, over the last month or so their leaves have been quickly, and en masse, turning yellow (incl. the green/ yellow veining) and falling off. 

While the Laurels are most affected, other plants have also yellowed to varying degrees, including an immature magnolia (some mid- to -lower leaves), choisya (central under fronds), and a magnificent Fatsia Japonica (lower fronds) that doubled in size over spring.  All were planted at the same time last December.

We have quite heavy/ clay soil, but it is now full of worms. In April, I added Westland Composted Bark and Decorative Bark Chips as surface layers.

I have tested for over/underwatering (a bit mixed across the garden) and PH levels (with a monitor).  Soil ph ranges from <3 to 5 (quite acidic).  I've applied some Westland Garden Lime Soil Conditioner, Westland Sulphate of Ammonia and Miracle Grow All-Purpose Continuous Release - the application of each was a number of weeks apart, to see if anything changed (to no avail). 

Despite these steps, the yellowing continues apace.  Interestingly, the yellowing is also happening to some Cherry Laurels that we planted in large pots in the front yard, which leads me to think the issue is with the soil, despite my attempts to improve it. 

I would be extremely grateful for any thoughts as to the underlying problem and possible solutions. I have attached an initial photo of the garden post planting, and recent photos of the yellowing. 

With great appreciation, 

Stuart

Posts

  • stuart.a.brucejvt1Avk7stuart.a.brucejvt1Avk7 Posts: 5
    It appears that the "less than 3" symbol turns into a love heart emoji!  So, to clarify, while I love the soil, it is quite acidic, with ph ranging from less than three (ie. monitor would not specify) to 5. 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Thirst?  Looks like you have them in raised beds so they need watering in dry spells.

    Last summer was very dry and so was this spring which means ground water levels are low and new shrubs won't have had time yet to get their roots deep down to find water.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited July 2020
    They're massive specimens planted in a tiny bed, so they're shedding foliage to preserve the moisture they have available.
    That's all that's wrong. 

    They would have benefited from being chopped back. Keep them very well watered - a bucket for each, every few days. They should survive.
    There's unlikely to be enough sustenance in a small raised bed either, for those other shrubs- Fatsia etc. They might be ok as long as they can access the soil underneath from those beds, but it'll take a while. They're dependent on you for all their nutrition just now. Adding compost at regular intervals, and well rotted manure, will help. Don't keep adding feed - it's not necessary, and can be counter productive when a plant is trying to establish itself. 

    I should have added - keeping the other ones in pots isn't suitable. They're not the right shrub for a pot. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Such a missed opportunity to plant something  more elegant, those massive leaves just seem the wrong scale for the space. Easy to say, after the event, I know. Good luck getting them established, you've done a lot to keep them going. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    Sorry but its definitely wrong plants wrong place.  Your neighbours are not going to like them if you alliw them to grow and they can reach over 4m and not just up but sideways as well and what's the point of them if you have to keep cutting them back?
    A fatsia will also reach 3m up and out.
    In a few years your garden will  look dark, dull and definitely dismal 

  • stuart.a.brucejvt1Avk7stuart.a.brucejvt1Avk7 Posts: 5
    Fairygirl said:
    They're massive specimens planted in a tiny bed, so they're shedding foliage to preserve the moisture they have available.
    That's all that's wrong. 

    They would have benefited from being chopped back. Keep them very well watered - a bucket for each, every few days. They should survive.
    There's unlikely to be enough sustenance in a small raised bed either, for those other shrubs- Fatsia etc. They might be ok as long as they can access the soil underneath from those beds, but it'll take a while. They're dependent on you for all their nutrition just now. Adding compost at regular intervals, and well rotted manure, will help. Don't keep adding feed - it's not necessary, and can be counter productive when a plant is trying to establish itself. 

    I should have added - keeping the other ones in pots isn't suitable. They're not the right shrub for a pot. 
    Thank you very much for your detailed and helpful response, it is very much appreciated! Ok, we'll add compost and manure as suggested and hopefully the foliage will improve with time. 
  • stuart.a.brucejvt1Avk7stuart.a.brucejvt1Avk7 Posts: 5
    amancalledgeorge said:
    Such a missed opportunity to plant something  more elegant, those massive leaves just seem the wrong scale for the space. Easy to say, after the event, I know. Good luck getting them established, you've done a lot to keep them going. 
    Thanks for taking the time to respond.  We are open to ideas - would you have any suggestions for good screening plants for raised garden beds? 
  • stuart.a.brucejvt1Avk7stuart.a.brucejvt1Avk7 Posts: 5
    K67 said:
    Sorry but its definitely wrong plants wrong place.  Your neighbours are not going to like them if you alliw them to grow and they can reach over 4m and not just up but sideways as well and what's the point of them if you have to keep cutting them back?
    A fatsia will also reach 3m up and out.
    In a few years your garden will  look dark, dull and definitely dismal 

    Thanks for taking the time to respond.  We are open to ideas - would you have any suggestions for good screening plants for raised garden beds? 
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