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Holly Hedge

SicamoreSicamore Posts: 16
in Plants
Hi There,

Need some advice / guidance.

I planted 150 metres of holly hedge last year and are concerned that it is growing at different rates from very good to little or no progress.  Through the April - September period I have and continue to water it once a week with miracle grow being mixed in with the alter once every 2 weeks.

I live in a rural area that is quite high up so on the possibility it is due to the elements I have erected a green netting fence all in front of it.

I have also sprayed around it in case the rabbits are an issue.

Just wondering if the above measures will now ensure it will now come good.

Happy to share photos with anyone who can assist.

Very much a novice so looking for any help at all.

Thanks

Gary
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Posts

  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    edited June 2022
    Welcome to the forum!  A photo would help please, along with a bit more information. What is the aspect of your hedge (ie N/S/E or W) what is your soil like and did you prepare it well before planting by adding extra organic matter? 

    Feeding with Miracle Grow is not really a good idea with woody plants, it is much better for them to obtain their nutrients naturally from the soil and an organic mulch placed on top of the soil.

    Regular watering is key to getting the roots established in the first year.  Depending on rainfall, this may be needed more often than once a week and the watering needs to penetrate deeply to encourage the roots to grow downwards. 

    Also, what have you sprayed to deter rabbits?  (Holly is toxic to rabbits.)


    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • SicamoreSicamore Posts: 16
    Hi There and thank you for responding.

     - See enclosed photos which I took about 2 weeks ago before I put up the green netting fence, note hedge was planted March 2021.  

    - Hedge is around the front and side of the house so is on all orientations bar west.  Ones that are doing best are those with best natural shelter in terms of those behind my garage and / or existing high hedge / trees behind them.

     - When planted soil was mixed with bone meal.  As you can see on the photo there is stones between them and around them.  When planting I laid a builders dpc horizontally with stone over top in order prevent weeds / long grass growing in between therefore unsure if mulch would be of benefit?

    - When I planted the hedge I cut a slit into the dpc so this allows me to ensure that when I water them it goes in right at the base of the plant.

     - Re the Miracle Grow it was a recommendation by the Garden Centre where I purchased them.  If not suitable is there anything you would recommend or is just a weekly water sufficient?

    - Use Grazers rabbit repellent, again this was advice from the Garden Centre

    Thanks in advance.

    Gary

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    I can see the idea behind putting down stones as a form of weed suppressing, but Hollies normally prefer cool roots, preferably in semi shade. Bark chip or composted bark would be more ideal for them. Also the site looks very exposed and sunny which the Holly may take a fair amount of time to settle and grow. I personally think Holly would not do well there because it's just too sunny. 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I thought hollies preferred full sun


  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    I see that written everywhere, but the best Hollies do better in cooler shadier positions. In regards to this situation, the prep work of the soil and the soil type also needs consideration. Hollies need moist soil and don't tend to do well on overly chalky soils.  The watering in the first few years need to be generous especially in the summer months. 

    Inconsistent growth shouldn't be a worry at this stage. After all, they can be pruned  accordingly in later years. Right now, the roots are the priority. Keeping them growing, that means watering. I don't expect many evergreen shrubs to suddenly put on massive growth in its first year. I would say, be patient for now. No need to feed them anymore either.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I think the use of builder's dpc is the main problem.  It is waterproof and not allowing any water to filter through to the roots, apart from through the narrow gap around the stems.  Your plants are dehydrated and the roots have not established well enough to support leaf growth.  I would remove the dpc as soon as you can and replace it with a permeable geotextile membrane, sold as weed suppressing membrane.  I would also add a layer of organic mulch before putting the membrane down - this will help to feed the roots and retain moisture.  Then, water, water, water but avoid waterlogging!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    Holly hate to be moved. /transplanted/root disturbance
    They look big shrubs.
    Planting them will have been a shock to the system.
    Holly are naturally rather slow when young.
    I am worried that the branches seem devoid of any leaves.
    Not happy shrubs.
    Do as others suggest and hope it works.
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Why would you cover the roots with waterproof material?

    I would triple the amount of water you are giving. Leave the hose running for a good long time.
  • SicamoreSicamore Posts: 16
    Hi Everbody,

    Thank you all for your input / contribution, did not get a chance to respond yesterday evening as I was out watering said hedge.  It is a weekly task that unfortunately takes 2 - 3 hours, for a number of reasons a hose is not practical.

    I have reviewed all of your comments and while the installation of the dpc may have solved / prevented one problem i.e. weeds it has caused another potentially re water absporption. Yes the dpc is cut accordingly and it is at this location I apply the watering can however when there is rainfall I can understand how absorption is limited.

    I take on board the non-requirement of feed per se but to focus solely on the watering.  In addition I will remove the dpc and apply the mulch and geotextile membrane.

    All of the above will be focused on the areas of little progress which were reflected in my first photographs.

    However for your information and indeed comments welcome I enclose below photographs of the sections of holly hedge that are doing relatively ok.  Planted in the same way with dpc covering etc and watered weekly but I think a key factor in their condition has been they have natural protection from the elements and are not as exposed.  The green net fencing in the picture was only erected over the full length of the hedge in the past 2 weeks as I thought that as there was a clear connection between progress / non-progress of the hedge and exposure to the elements it made sense to put up such a fence.  In the areas shown below I have only fenced at the front due to their being existing trees etc to the back however were no natural protections exists I have put up a fence both sides.

    By all means I will follow the recommendations you have all outlined but would welcome your thoughts re the relevance of protection from the elements.

    Again as always thank you so much for your help, I just wish I had reached out to you all several months ago.

    Regards

    Gary



  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    edited June 2022
    I can see that you've put a lot of hard work into trying to get your hedge started, it's a real shame that you were given poor advice about using builder's dpc.  

    The other shrubs in your additional photos would have been less prone to water loss because of the protection from the wind which you describe.  They look better but they  will certainly benefit from similar corrective action to encourage fuller foliar growth once the roots are well hydrated.

    When you remove the stones and dpc, it will be best to water the plants and surrounding soil thoroughly before applying the mulch and new membrane so that you are protecting moist soil and not dry soil.  (To make it easier for you, I'd leave the border uncovered until you've had a long spell of rain and then apply the mulch and membrane - so watch the weather forecast and plan accordingly.)

    You should soon see an improvement, but be patient, holly is slow growing compared to other hedging plants.  Good luck! 
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


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