Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Shallow rooted hedge

LeopoldStotchLeopoldStotch Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hi All, 

I have a laurel hedge border on the front drive between my drive and my neighbour's. At each end of the hedge the plants are large and thriving, but the plants in the middle are small and disease prone after 7 years, which I believe is due to the depth of the channel between the two drives in which they are planted.

What would be the best option to replace these plants that will work in shallow soil? It's west facing but in north east England so needs to be able to deal with cold. I'd like it to be at least 4 foot high over time, but thickness is more important.

Thanks! 

Posts

  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,872
    @LeopoldStotch Welcome to the forum.  :)
    Your thread has slipped through without a response which can be disheartening when you are a newcomer. I am bumping it up for you to see if any members can give you some advice. I am sure there will be someone out there to help you. Good luck. 
  • Cambridgerose12Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,134
    Welcome to the forum! Can you explain why the soil is shallow in that particular area? Is it builder's rubble, or some other cause? Alas, plants aren't magic, they do need a good depth of soil to thrive. Unless there is a way they can slowly get their roots around any obstacle and down into deeper soil, most shrubs would not fare very well.
  • LeopoldStotchLeopoldStotch Posts: 2
    Fran IOM said:
    @LeopoldStotch Welcome to the forum.  :)
    Your thread has slipped through without a response which can be disheartening when you are a newcomer. I am bumping it up for you to see if any members can give you some advice. I am sure there will be someone out there to help you. Good luck. 
    Thanks Fran! 

    Cambridgerose12 said:
    Welcome to the forum! Can you explain why the soil is shallow in that particular area? Is it builder's rubble, or some other cause? Alas, plants aren't magic, they do need a good depth of soil to thrive. Unless there is a way they can slowly get their roots around any obstacle and down into deeper soil, most shrubs would not fare very well.

    It's just the way the drives have been laid by the developer, who built 2 houses on one old plot.

    The channel is about 55cm across, 8cm deep at each edge and 16cm deep in the centre. I haven't dug it out, but the bottom of the trough is solid, whether it is concrete or slabs. 

    I don't know if any hedging plant will grow in this much soil, but I know laurel definitely doesn't. 

    I have tried building up the sides by a further 8cm using corten lawn edging, but so far it hasn't improved any. 
  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,872
    @LeopoldStotch Pleased you have had responses.  :)  If you post in the future and don't get an immediate response you can always bump it up yourself. 
Sign In or Register to comment.