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Hebe Topiaria Looking Dead

WiltshireWildWiltshireWild Posts: 64
in Problem solving
My hebe has never looked like this before. Its quite old and I am wondering if its giving up the ghost. Or perhaps its frost damage. Is it dying or likely to come back?

Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    So many hebes have died this year, mine included. It certainly looks as though yours has suffered badly, but is that a bit of green growth l can see at the back of it (possibly due to the shelter from the wall) ?
  • WiltshireWildWiltshireWild Posts: 64
    Yes it’s growing against a north facing wall and has been there for over 15years. Never seen it like this. The bit of green has been like that for the past few months and has not grown since winter. Would it be worth pruning back the brown parts? 
  • Mrs-B3-Southampton,-HantsMrs-B3-Southampton,-Hants Posts: 732
    Nothing to lose by pruning the dead bits off. I have a much smaller one that often gets dead bits.
    Southampton 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited May 2023
    I’d bite the bullet and replace it. I done think that’s ever going to look good again. Hebes don’t  respond well to ‘hard pruning’ whether it’s done by secateurs or sharp frosts, and they turn up their toes … and yours isn’t young and they’re not long lived plants anyway. 

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





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Many don't respond well to hard pruning, even when they're healthy, because your general climate is a major factor.
    I'd get rid too and replace it.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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