Laurels not growing

clarkrachael6 · February 2023

Good evening all. We planted some Laurel hedging in about 3 years ago and they have only grown a really small amount, very small leaves almost curly in places and don’t look very happy. They are next to a big tree so we give them extra water and have given them bloodfish and bonemeal which hasn’t done anything. Would anybody have any clues as to what we can do to help these come along? Thank you in advance!

Fairygirl · February 2023

They look fine to me.
Laurel will take a year or two to establish before it really gets going. When you watered them through the first year or so, how were you doing it? They need loads of moisture to get established, so thorough, deep watering is very important. It's the biggest mistake most people make when planting hedging - watering too lightly.

BF&B is only necessary when planting, and the best thing you can do with any hedging plant is to prep the area really well - loads of organic matter, a proper border which is kept clear of weeds, and regular mulching to retain moisture and keep weeds at bay. Was that what you did?
There seems to be another, mature hedge there too. That's all competition for moisture, as well as the tree. Have you a wider view of the area? That will help with any advice

We have a very comprehensive thread about laurel - it'll take you a while to read it, but it has everything you'll ever need to know about them.
https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/656523/help-needed-please-with-laurel-hedge-issues/p1

GardenerSuze · February 2023

@clarkrachael6 Hi they look fine to me. There is a saying' be careful what you wish for'. There is one nearby that is causing problems with overhead telephone wires it's so big. They are taking time to establish due to dry conditions, year one they needed extra water, years two and three they have had to cope with drought plus the fact they are under a tree.

Joyce Goldenlily · February 2023

Your laurel plants do not look happy to me. The puckering on the leaves is not normal, irregular watering possbly, and a lot of the leaves have yellowing edges which could indicate a lack of water or lack of essental nutrients. I can also see quite a lot of grass growing close to the plants which is not helping them, also there is a hedge of some kind close by. Clear the ground completely for a good metre around each plant, give them loads of water, twice a day during the summer, and no more feed for the time being. Laurel is a strong growing plant which if it gets going, will soon overwhelm any other plants near it for several feet spread.

Fairygirl · February 2023

Yes - it very much depends where you're located. They're easy here, but many areas of the UK have had quite difficult weather in the last couple of years. Not ideal for establishing any shrubs/trees or hedges.

clarkrachael6 · February 2023

Thanks for your advice I will clear everything around them and thinking of putting a soaker hose along there to give them more consistent water? We are in the South of England no doubt last summer did not help them! I have tried to upload another picture but it’s saying the image is too large 🙈

Fairygirl · February 2023

If you reduce the pix to around 1MB or less that helps. Not your fault. It's becoming a massive problem re the photos not loading on this forum.
I expect they've struggled with the lack of moisture. They need hours of rainfall consistently to get them well rooted, and then they can cope with dry spells, but if you have to water, they need a good few bucketfuls each every couple of days, or a very long spell from a hose.
They should be ok if you can mulch etc after they're well moistened. As long as you don't get serious drought again this spring/summer, they should start to come away though.

Plantminded · February 2023

Like @Joyce Goldenlily, I don't think your laurels look too good, probably because of the competition from the tree nearby which will have been benefitting from the watering and feeding you have been giving to the laurels and it will also have been causing shade. In ideal conditions they would be much bigger after three years. Do you know what the tree is and approximately how tall and wide is it?

clarkrachael6 · February 2023

Hi the tree next to the laurels is a fir and it is absolutely massive! Aprox 100ft tall…. We have another bush that is growing really well on the other side of the trees and more laurels growing on the other side of these 5/6 laurels that aren’t doing very well.

Plantminded · February 2023

The tree will be making the conditions difficult for the laurels to establish. If you improve the ground around them as suggested by @Fairygirl and keep your plants well watered, they may improve. Otherwise you may need to think about positioning the laurels elsewhere and growing something more adaptable to those conditions. I can’t think of an alternative shrub, but a tough perennial like Euphorbia amygdaloides var robbiae will tolerate those conditions and provide ground cover.

GardenerSuze · February 2023

I would soak them every seven days with litres and litres of water avoiding run off. The water needs to be deep down so that the roots also grow that way. You don't want the roots heading towards the surface looking for water.

Laurels not growing

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