It's planted very close to the wall which probably doesn't help. I would be inclined to dig it up, and maybe pot it up in some decent compost and see how it recovers
I think the damage was done a long time ago. No - they aren't all hardy, especially variegated ones. Many don't recover after bad winters for example. Despite what some people on this forum keep saying.
I'd dig that up and have a look at the roots, as @AnniD says. It may have had vine weevil damage too.
You could try taking some cuttings if you can find any healthy bits.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@AnniD@Fairygirl Thank you. I will dig up today and see what I can do? What kind of pot would you suggest? How often would you water? And what location? Is there any particular soil or compost I should use? And should they be given any particular nutrients?
@Papi Jo I don’t know what’s happened to the soil but I used compost, and even some John Innes - 2 varieties, a bit of bone meal, with a few pebbles at bottom for drainage 🤷🏻♀️ So it shouldn’t be horrible. All I can think is that we’ve been doing the path around it, getting old concrete up and laying a new one so maybe dust etc has got mixed in. What would you suggest for hebes?
Any ideas what perennials I could replace them with? Preferably something with a bit of colour this time of year? Maybe evergreen if possible but not essential. It is a north facing wall.
I will be creating another flower bed similar round the other side so whilst I’m here could you also advise what soil etc to make that up of? Many thanks all, really appreciate your help as a very very novice gardener! 😊
Hebes need decent quality soil with good drainage - so they need grit mixed in or, better still rotted manure to improve the soil structure, especially if it's heavier clay for example. They can also cope with poorer stony soil though, once established, or if they seed into it. Variegated ones are less tough so it's even more important for them. A north facing wall is no use for them. Pebbles at the bottom of a hole in that situation can create a sump, leaving roots sitting in wet soil permanently. If you have a border between a path and a wall there's likely to be poor conditions generally, so you'd need to beef up the soil and manure is ideal for that. Pick plants which will cope with shady, poor conditions, but dig down properly and make sure there isn't just a complete footing of concrete there. No point in planting anything until you determine the condition of the bed.
Any pot will do, as long as it can comfortably hold the root ball. It will only need watering if it's dry for longer spells, especially once autumn/winter comes along properly. You can use ordinary compost for now, but if it recovers, it'll need a new site to be planted into, or some repotting with a soil based medium and some compost mixed in. Never feed a failing plant. Keep it somewhere out of full sun for now, until it recovers. A semi shaded spot - west facing will be ideal as long as it isn't completely open and exposed. Among other plants is best to provide a little shade, but enough light. Once it's recovered, it can be in a sunnier site. It would help to see the site you're making the new bed - and how it's being made, Is it from existing turf or a raised bed, and what aspect ? All these things are factors.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl wow thanks for your detailed reply, that’s so helpful. Will follow your instructions! I never knew you shouldn’t feed a failing plant either. If they make it I will for sure plant them in a sunnier location 😊
Hmmmm so there was horrible concrete round the house as a path that we’ve completely pulled up to have a nice path going round but are leaving space under the two sides below the windows for a little flower bed. Digging a deep big hole and filling with whatever it needs to be filled with for the plants.
Thanks @Fairygirl@AnniD here is a picture of my hebe dug up… this is its roots… are they rotten? There are also some sign of new life again on three stems but that happened before then they went brown again… also, do I leave as it is or cut any stems off?
Posts
No - they aren't all hardy, especially variegated ones. Many don't recover after bad winters for example. Despite what some people on this forum keep saying.
I'd dig that up and have a look at the roots, as @AnniD says. It may have had vine weevil damage too.
You could try taking some cuttings if you can find any healthy bits.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Papi Jo I don’t know what’s happened to the soil but I used compost, and even some John Innes - 2 varieties, a bit of bone meal, with a few pebbles at bottom for drainage 🤷🏻♀️ So it shouldn’t be horrible. All I can think is that we’ve been doing the path around it, getting old concrete up and laying a new one so maybe dust etc has got mixed in. What would you suggest for hebes?
Any ideas what perennials I could replace them with? Preferably something with a bit of colour this time of year? Maybe evergreen if possible but not essential. It is a north facing wall.
I will be creating another flower bed similar round the other side so whilst I’m here could you also advise what soil etc to make that up of? Many thanks all, really appreciate your help as a very very novice gardener! 😊
A north facing wall is no use for them. Pebbles at the bottom of a hole in that situation can create a sump, leaving roots sitting in wet soil permanently. If you have a border between a path and a wall there's likely to be poor conditions generally, so you'd need to beef up the soil and manure is ideal for that. Pick plants which will cope with shady, poor conditions, but dig down properly and make sure there isn't just a complete footing of concrete there. No point in planting anything until you determine the condition of the bed.
Any pot will do, as long as it can comfortably hold the root ball. It will only need watering if it's dry for longer spells, especially once autumn/winter comes along properly. You can use ordinary compost for now, but if it recovers, it'll need a new site to be planted into, or some repotting with a soil based medium and some compost mixed in. Never feed a failing plant. Keep it somewhere out of full sun for now, until it recovers. A semi shaded spot - west facing will be ideal as long as it isn't completely open and exposed. Among other plants is best to provide a little shade, but enough light. Once it's recovered, it can be in a sunnier site.
It would help to see the site you're making the new bed - and how it's being made, Is it from existing turf or a raised bed, and what aspect ? All these things are factors.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Hmmmm so there was horrible concrete round the house as a path that we’ve completely pulled up to have a nice path going round but are leaving space under the two sides below the windows for a little flower bed. Digging a deep big hole and filling with whatever it needs to be filled with for the plants.
Thank you 😊
Good luck !