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Laurel Plants being eaten

milessmiless Posts: 1
in Problem solving
Hi, My laurel hedge was planted about 3 years ago and in general is doing well, although every summer almost all the new growth appears to have been nibbled at, and quite a few leaves turn brown and drop.  The soil drains very well do the leaf drop could be water related.  I thought this may be snails/slugs but am not sure.  I often see quite a few ants on the plants and and wondering it these are the culprits.  Any advice on what this could be and what I could do about it?  I've already tried treatment with SlugClear3 pellets.  Thanks.


Posts

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    It looks like damage from vine weevils. Ants really do no harm to any plant, they usually are a byproduct of having aphids on a plant and they harvest their excretions. I don't grow them but they should need deep watering if it has been very hot and dry, especially if they're only 3 yo. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited August 2021
    That’s damage done by adult vine weevils. I would treat the root area of the hedge with Vine Weevil Nematodes (available online) as directed on the pack. We found that a couple of applications were effective for several years. 

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





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