Forum home› Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Are my Lleyandi healthy?

shipley92shipley92 Posts: 19
in Plants
Hi everyone,

Just wanting some advice regarding my lleylandi hedging and whether or not they look okay. I’ve attached some photos which highlights some browning as well.
Any advice would be really helpful 


«13

Posts

  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    We have had a leylandii hedge for some decades and some of the plants have shown signs of decay.
    We have kept it at a hedge size.
    Yours are still very young and very spaced out to make a good hedge.
    You can cut the tops back to allow lateral growth but once they get to a certain height this will be a problem as new growth wont come.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I’m doubtful whether those bare stems will produce any growth either. 
    Are they recently planted?

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





  • shipley92shipley92 Posts: 19
    Yes planted them recently
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Did you pay money for them?

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





  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    edited February 2022
    The trunk diameter of these plants suggests some age to me.  Taking the main growing point out when the plants reach their desired final height may encourage new growth lower down, but like others, I'm not too hopeful. 

    In the meantime, you may want to consider some low planting in front to conceal the bare trunks, choosing something which won't compete aggressively. 

    I would also recommend adding a thick layer of compost, soil conditioner or manure to help your plants get established, and keep them well watered if it doesn't rain.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,527
    If you are growing them for a hedge I bin them I am sorry to say , they are very poor specimens I hope you haven't paid for them like Dove has mentioned .  They will be bald forever on the lower limbs, if you insist on keeping them I'd buy some small ones and plant in between the ones already planted .  
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited February 2022
    To be honest I’d pull them up and start again … I don’t think they will ever look any better than they do today, and are likely to look much worse. I’m sorry. 😢 

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





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited February 2022
    I agree. New whips of leylandii shouldn't look like that. They look like they've been dug up from somewhere else, and certainly aren't young plants. You can tell from that bottom section of the trunks too, that they aren't new, young specimens.
    Those bare areas low down won't furnish out now, no matter what you do  :/
    Can you return them to wherever you got them @shipley92?
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @shipley92 Long term I think you could damage the wall behind. Guess it is the wall you are trying to hide?
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Valley GardenerValley Gardener Posts: 2,851
    Judging by the trunks and size of our once Leylandii, they are planted too close together,when we had them removed they had taken down about 4/5 feet of an old drystone wall. They are thugs if not kept under control,and can grow to enormous heights. How high were you planning the hedge?
    The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
Sign In or Register to comment.