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Red Robin Hedge

JensonJenson Posts: 26
in Problem solving
I have two hedges, one is Laurel and is thick, verdant and looks great. 

My other is Red Robin. It is about the same age as the Laurel but it is sparse and scrappy in places. 

Can anyone suggest what I can do to improve it?

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Remove any weeds or grass growing at the base as they are competition for nutrients and water.   Prune the tips of any long, straggly stems back to a leaf so that you encourage budding further back to thicken it.Give it a good thick mulch - after heavy rain or a good drenching with a hosepipe - of well rotted garden compost and/or manure.

    Next spring, give it generous handfuls per square metre of BF&B or pelleted chicken manure.   Once the first flush of new red leaves is over give it a light trim to shape it and then make sure it doesn't get thirsty in hot, dry spells.

    It should thicken up and come back with more fresh red leaves.  You can tidy those up in August again and repeat the mulching every autumn and the feeding every spring.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Unfortunately, they often look lousy if they don't have optimum conditions. They need warmth and moisture. Too cold/dry and they drop foliage at regular intervals, too cold and wet and they do that, plus having black spot etc. 
    If you can give them some care as described by @Obelixx, it will hopefully improve.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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