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New laurel

james_pinckneyjames_pinckney Posts: 16
in Problem solving
I have planted 10 young Laurel bushes nicely spaced apart along a border to create some more greenery along the garden. 4/5 weeks in and they are looking a little sad, limp and turning light green/brown - they seem to be dying..What have I done? What could be causing it? Not enough soil covering the roots? They’ve been getting plenty of sun & water. I hope they can recover...

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Can we see a photo please?

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • james_pinckneyjames_pinckney Posts: 16
    Sure, will take photos in the morning. Thank you! 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • james_pinckneyjames_pinckney Posts: 16

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited March 2021
    🤔 they’re not very happy are they? 
    They have very little root space and the roots will be struggling to establish themselves, let alone be able to support all that greenery on top. 

    Laurel wants to grow into a very big plant and to be honest it’s not really suitable for that space ... but we are where we are ... firstly I would cut it hard back to half its current height. That will reduce the strain on the roots and give them a chance to establish. 

    And then you should cross your fingers and pray ... 
    then read this thread which contains the combined wisdom and experience of this forum regarding laurel hedges   https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/656523/help-needed-please-with-laurel-hedge-issues/p1

    Personally speaking I’d cut your losses  and pull them up, put some wires against the fence and plant climbers ... even then you’ll have to select carefully ... there doesn’t look to be much rootspace available. 

    Sorry 😐

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • james_pinckneyjames_pinckney Posts: 16
    Thank you so much, I did have a feeling it was because of the root space - I really appreciate your advice. I will have a think then and act fast to see if I can at least save some of them. Maybe some clematis instead - I’ve had success with some in small root space so maybe they’ll be the answer. To be continued... 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Before you spend money on clematis pick folk’s brains on here ... there’s some clematis that can
    cope and some that won’t, no matter what you do. 

    And some folk will have experience of other climbers that will relish the spot. 
    😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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