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Plants being eaten (I think)

nongreenfingersbutwantnongreenfingersbutwant Posts: 19
in Problem solving
Hi

I have had this hedge acting as a fence since I moved in 5 years ago so not sure what it is but the last couple of weeks I have seen the leaves get eaten. I am unable to find any bugs that may be eating it so not sure what it is happening. My concern is I lose all the leaves and am left with just the branches. 

Can anyone provide advise on what it may be and what I will need to do please. 

Thank you 

CT

Posts

  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    edited August 2020
    It looks like a laurel, either Portuguese or Cherry, no idea which.
    I wouldn't worry about the holes, if the plant is in good health it can cope.
    Some bugs prefer a late night dinner so you could have a look after dark.
    I would clear up leaves etc from around the plants as bugs often hide in them
  • EmerionEmerion Posts: 599
    I’m not sure what it is, maybe cherry laurel. But if your plants are 5+ years old and otherwise healthy, they will probably shrug this off. It’s usually young plants that are seriously harmed by pests. Whatever it was could have already moved on, hence why you can’t find anything. Or could it be Laurel Shot Hole? https://www.ashridgetrees.co.uk/gardening-advice/plant-diseases/laurel-shot-hole-leaves
    Carmarthenshire (mild, wet, windy). Loam over shale, very slightly sloping, so free draining. Mildly acidic or neutral.


  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited August 2020
    Yep, go out at night with a torch and put an old white sheet etc under a bush and give it a good shake.  I suspect you may find vine weevil after looking at the damage on some leaf edges, but agree that the holes are probably shot-hole disease.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
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