Don't want to worry you @Dig2006 but they can get honey fungus. Hopefully not, but some clearer photos and a wider view will help. As @JennyJ says - watering in the first year after planting is really important, especially if they were bigger plants. It's why smaller hedge plants are always better. Much easier to establish.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Here are some photos from today. Not sure if I am kidding myself but they maybe look a bit better than last night. Though still plenty of leaves drooping. They are not going yellow at the moment, but are not dark green like some of the healthier plants. As you can see, the leaves are large as I havent cut it back much. I gave it another watering this morning also. Any thoughts on the new photos and what I can do try save them.
I'd cut those back by half if they were mine They'll then branch out, and fill out. When you water - it's by the bucket to do any good. Then when they're thoroughly soaked, give them a mulch - anything will do -compost, bark, leaf mould etc. They'll improve over the next few months once they get more moisture, and they should improve again by next spring/summer.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I use a hose for the watering... in terms of cutting back i think it is too late now as it starting to get cold and so any new growth may not cope with the winter. is that right? I can water and add compost then and hope for the best. And come spring can cut back in height and also the actual the depth and width??
It definitely looks as if last night's watering has perked it up no end . I think I would leave the cutting back until next spring - try to catch it just as it's starting into growth, which might be quite early depending on the weather. It's pretty close to the fence so both the roots and the stems will grow through - you might want to clip it from the other side eventually, if you have access.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
You can certainly wait until spring if you want, but unless you're likely to get frost in the next fortnight [I don't know where you live] it's unlikely to be any problem. We get frost here from October, sometimes earlier, but it's never been a problem for privet if it's cut back. Any odd bits that might get frosted just drop off and new stuff grows once the weather perks up again. It's as tough as old boots
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
My thinking is that there won't be much growth this side of winter (mine do most of their growing between February and July) and they're nicer to look at over the winter as they are now than cut back. Either way, it won't make much difference to the privet.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Thanks both. Glad others think they look better too. Watered them a lot this morning also. They are very close to the fence and the land drops by maybe a foot beyond the fence. So was always concerned that some of the roots would grow through that side an be exposed. That said maybe they will direct themselves more to my side of the fence and as you say they are hardy plants. I was thinking though of spreading a bank of compost the side if I can get access, which would also help them maybe.
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Hopefully not, but some clearer photos and a wider view will help.
As @JennyJ says - watering in the first year after planting is really important, especially if they were bigger plants. It's why smaller hedge plants are always better. Much easier to establish.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
They'll then branch out, and fill out.
When you water - it's by the bucket to do any good. Then when they're thoroughly soaked, give them a mulch - anything will do -compost, bark, leaf mould etc.
They'll improve over the next few months once they get more moisture, and they should improve again by next spring/summer.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I presume no sign of desease then?
We get frost here from October, sometimes earlier, but it's never been a problem for privet if it's cut back. Any odd bits that might get frosted just drop off and new stuff grows once the weather perks up again. It's as tough as old boots
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I tend to hack when I decide I have the time
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...