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Dead? Hebes

richjamesturnerrichjamesturner Posts: 70
in Problem solving
Hi all,

I have 3 Hebes, I think Mrs Winder that this time last year were thriving. Now they look dead. All the leaves dropped after that cold spell in December. Are they dead? How can I tell? If recovery is possible would it be quick? I'm trying to decide whether to pull them out and get something else planted.

Thanks in advance,

Rich
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Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I have lost several hebes this Winter.
     l used the bark test to check. Just gently scratch the bark low down on the plant, if it's green there is still hope.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I wouldn't hold my breath with those.
    It's wet cold that's their common nemesis, and it's why many of them die off here even in a normal winter. The wet/freeze cycle earlier this winter will have been the 'nail in the coffin' for many. The variegated ones, and those with larger foliage are always more susceptible to harsher weather too.
    Cutting them back doesn't always guarantee they'll come back either, as it can just be too much for them. 
    All you can do is hope there's some new growth in a month or two. 

    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
    @richjamesturner Lots of dead Hebes locally to me too.

    I have seen a variegated one growing locally looked lovely. However it is in full sun and sheltered from the worst of the rain, the drainage would also be better than my garden. Get the right spot and they will be the ones that will have survived.  Not always easy to find the exact micro climate needed for plants.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • CatDouchCatDouch Posts: 488
    I’ve got 3 hebes that look the same as yours and I’m assuming they’re dead, like @Fairygirl says the combination of wet and cold seems to be a killer.  I think I’m going to dig mine up and replace them, just trying to decide what to replace with as I don’t have much luck with hebes, possibly the clay soil we have here.
    South Devon 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I have to make sure they have the best drainage I can give them @CatDouch as we have heavy clay. Even then, it isn't a guarantee. I often grow them in pots, especially the ones which naturally form a globe as they're a good substitute for box if you want a formal look anywhere. The disadvantage is that they can still be iffy here with our climate. The smaller leaved ones like H. pagei generally do ok, but I haven't grown those for a long time.
    I had 3x H. buxifolias in large pots which I did when I moved in here 10 years ago. They gradually succumbed. One of them half died and it's in a border in the front garden where other planting naturally covers the dead bit.
    I did get a seedling which was in the gravel path, so that was grown on and planted beside a peony which is also in the gravel right up against the house wall. It's had a bit of damage this winter, but is still fine. Decent size.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • CatDouchCatDouch Posts: 488
    Yes @Fairygirl I’m sticking to hebe’s in pots from now on.  I recently bought a Hebe Caledonia, which seduced me at a garden centre, but bought a pot too as I’ve lost too many over the years.  There’s something so appealing about a hebe, especially when your browsing around a garden centre, they’re always an impulse buy with me as I forget what trouble they cause me 😂
    South Devon 
  • richjamesturnerrichjamesturner Posts: 70
    Thanks for all the replies, sounds like they're done for 😢 I have lots of others that have made it, just a shame as these were so nice last year.

    That cold spell was tough. I've lost these, the phormiums, a plant I loved but don't know the name of and a couple of others. Guess it's time for a trip to the garden centre!


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - lots of casualties this year @richjamesturner , and of plants that can normally manage.
    Phormiums have certainly suffered. I have to be careful about where I grow them as the conditions aren't ideal here, but they cope fine with the usual mix of frost/snow/rain if the drainage is right, and I don't think I've ever lost any in all the years I've grown them. They usually look a bit rough after winter, and get a good tidy up, but it's that unusual cycle of weather that did the damage. The 2nd bout we had here earlier this month just added to it!
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • richjamesturnerrichjamesturner Posts: 70
    They're gone. Dry and brittle so, though I'm no expert, I'm pretty sure they were dead. Now to decide what to replace them with...
  • richjamesturnerrichjamesturner Posts: 70
    Fairygirl said:
    Yes - lots of casualties this year @richjamesturner , and of plants that can normally manage.
    Phormiums have certainly suffered. I have to be careful about where I grow them as the conditions aren't ideal here, but they cope fine with the usual mix of frost/snow/rain if the drainage is right, and I don't think I've ever lost any in all the years I've grown them. They usually look a bit rough after winter, and get a good tidy up, but it's that unusual cycle of weather that did the damage. The 2nd bout we had here earlier this month just added to it!
    I think I've saved one out of three. Just cut it right back and although it doesn't look amazing right now it's not too bad and it's definitely still alive. Hopefully once some new leaves come through it'll perk up 
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