Dead dwarf pinus

mailQaD6zChJ · October 2020

We live in an apartment in Ascot (SL5 8AE), Berkshire. Whilst we do have a gardener who keep the gardens tidy, he doesn't profess to be horticulturally trained.

The property is a relatively new build, completed in 2016 - at the front (north facing) there are two raised flower beds each containing 2 olive trees and until recently some dwarf pinus bushes (see photographs attached). The dwarf pinus have slowly died and whilst two of the plants in the left hand bed have been replaced (?twice) in the 4 years since planting, even they have died.

There is no irrigation in either beds but the gardeners (and some residents) do try to water if the weather is very hot. We have formed a small residents gardening committee consisting of 3 well meaning amateurs.

We think that the cause of the plants demise is the lack of water - the building and the olive trees cast a rain shadow I’m sure, but there is also a local cat and we don’t know if he/she has anything to do with the it - we would very much like Alan's professional opinion as to why he thinks they died and perhaps his suggestions for replacement planting. Someone suggested Hebe - but we're just not knowledgeable enough 🙁

We have removed the dead bushes today and would like to replace them with something that will survive the conditions there; the planting in the beds was supposed to form a screen of sorts from the car parking area.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/2a/no3rq93bfag4.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/sc/d0ksr6490wt0.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/l8/d181k89q4a5c.jpg

left hand bed

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/8m/k790qdou5pfe.jpg

Fairygirl · October 2020

Pines definitely won't thrive without adequate water, so it's likely that's the reason.

I don't know who you mean by Alan, but you'll get help here with any queries.

Hebes will do well if they have drier conditions, but all shrubs need plenty of water until established, and when they're in quite confined conditions like those raised beds, it's harder to achieve unless you live somewhere wet.
At this time of year, it's relatively easy to have that water, even in the south east of the UK and other drier areas.

mailQaD6zChJ · October 2020

Thank you Fairygirl. I'm new to the Gardeners' World forum, the weblink I used was 'Ask Alan Titchmarsh' - but very grateful for all comments. We do also think the watering is the problem. The pinus did ok for the first few years but as the olives have grown they create a bigger umbrella. Do you have any other suggestions for replanting provided we water better.

Fairygirl · October 2020

Hebes would probably be fine, but as I said - all shrubs need well watered until they're established, and in that situation, they made need regular watering in dry spells. Those types of bed dry out very quickly. It's a good idea, when planting anything in those circumstances, to add a mulch after thorough watering, as that helps retain moisture. That can be more compost, or even gravel- which would complement the olives. I'd avoid bark, as it would look wrong there.

There are hundreds of different types of Hebe, but they're readily available. They come in all sorts of sizes too, so it's always wise to check the eventual sizes. Most have purple flowers through summer, but there are also whites and pinks. Some have dark foliage, which is very attractive

Here's a link to a good nursery which will give you an idea of colours and types.

https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/plants.cfm?pl_id=2097

SydRoy · October 2020

"We live in an apartment in Ascot (SL5 8AE), Berkshire. Whilst we do have a gardener who keep the gardens tidy, he doesn't profess to be horticulturally trained"

???.. Hmm.

You could try Podocaprus nivalis "Kilworth cream" or "Blue Gem" or if you can keep it moist, Hakonechloa.

Another idea is a low hedge covering the bed with the trees growing out - Euonymous "Jean Hugues"

I think as well as no water, cat pee hasn't done the pines any good.

Fairygirl · October 2020

That would have to be some cat. A puma perhaps?

Hakonechloa isn't evergreen though, so it wouldn't suit the purpose.

Whatever's planted has to like the same conditions as the olives. No point otherwise, as the same thing will happen if there's insufficient watering.
Those phormiums would be ideal, but it would be too many if they were the same as the ones already planted. You could choose some of the dark ones instead. Plenty of those available too, but avoid the species ones as they get huge - pick a smaller named variety. 'Blackadder' is nice

mailQaD6zChJ · October 2020

Thank you both for the suggestions and advice, plenty to work on there - I love Hakonechloa but as you mention, not evergreen.

no pumas that we know about. Will water and mulch 👍😊

rachelQrtJHBjb · October 2020

Hello. I know your area well. Oaktree Garden Centre in Warfield is worth a visit as they have a range of hebes (well, last I looked they did), plus a broad range of other shrubs that might suit. They have knowledgeable staff and are always happy to help.

I doubt the cat was able to get that close to the pine (ouch) or, indeed, spray the whole thing to the extent it died. Strange it turned up its toes when the olives look so healthy. What were the roots of the pines like when you pulled the plants up? Just wondering if something had attacked the roots causing their demise?

Fairygirl · October 2020

Pines need a lot of water to establish well. The ones in the ground in the photo are fine.

The combination of raised bed and the other, large, planting is the factor in this scenario

Dead dwarf pinus

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