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Drooping leaves on Hebe

linzijayne74linzijayne74 Posts: 198
in Problem solving
Hi there.  I have two hebes in my south-facing border, both of which are around three years old.  I've noticed that a lot of the leaves on one of them - not both - are drooping and some are turning brown.  (They both have old flowers that have died back but I shan't cut those back until the frosts are pretty much over, just in case they don't respond well to that in frosty spells).  This hasn't happened before so I'd be very grateful for any advice on how to help my droopy hebe!  Many thanks in advance.  :)

Posts

  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    You mention frost, and that could be the cause of your hebe's unhappy state. Some hebes are not frost tolerant and whilst a normal winter may leave them unscathed, we have had some pretty icy periods over the past couple of months coupled with a lot of rain. I'd keep an eye on it and see if it shows any hint of new growth.
  • linzijayne74linzijayne74 Posts: 198
    Hi @Ceres; thank you very much for your reply.  I just thought it odd that this particular hebe was fine during the Beast from the East but droopy through the current comparatively milder winter (albeit there *has* been some icy winds of late).  Perhaps it just didn't like the winter we've just had?!  I wish plants could talk!  I must say most of it is still green....just a bit droopy!  I shan't cut back the spent flower heads 'til the frosts have largely gone.  Thank you ever so.  :)
  • Mrs-B3-Southampton,-HantsMrs-B3-Southampton,-Hants Posts: 732
    Couple of years ago I had a hebe gradually go brown. It wasn't overly special so I pruned away quite merrily. Grew again and even 'self layered'.
    Southampton 
  • shane.farrellshane.farrell Posts: 207
    I think the big difference with the beast year was that snow blanketed everything and provided some insulation. This winter there was less snow but it was just as cold if not colder and probably for longer at -5 or even colder.
  • linzijayne74linzijayne74 Posts: 198
    Hi @Mrs-B3-Southampton,-Hants...thank you for your reply.  I'm glad to hear your hebe was ok in the end!  :).  I must say mine is still mostly green so that's encouraging.  When the frosts are over I'll 'deadhead' the spent flowers and any brown bits and hopefully mine will recover.  Thanks again.  
  • linzijayne74linzijayne74 Posts: 198
    Hi @shane.farrell; many thanks for your comment.  Yes, you could be right there; it's alarming to see deep snow but as you say, it actually provides insulation.  It's also been windy this winter, along with some chilly spells so that's probably what's made my hebe droop.  It's mostly green so I'm hoping it'll 'kick on' going into spring but I shall keep an eye on it.  Thank you again.  :)
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