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Montgomery cypress hedge dying
mrgnbarrie
Posts: 4
Hi,
We planted a Montgomery cypress hedge now in its 5th year when we moved, it grew well but last year a few of the plants started browning and then this year it's steadily headed for disaster. As you can see from the pictures it's bad - I know there's no hope for the brown ones and they need to come out but what I'm wondering is why some have gone and others haven't? They're in the same soil, presumably not that different drainage and same light levels. I'm trying to work out how to gap the hedge and not have the same situation all over again. Also, are there other species you would recommend mixing in? As we need to fill it we're considering a varied hedge instead of uniform but although I have loads of experience with hedges it's all traditional native mixes for planting and laying - I have no idea when it comes to evergreen non-natives but my husband loves the year round colour, and keeps reminding me it's his garden too! 😊 I'd be tempted with Holly but given my first assumption is the ground may be too dry for cypress then I'm guessing Holly doesn't stand a chance.
We planted a Montgomery cypress hedge now in its 5th year when we moved, it grew well but last year a few of the plants started browning and then this year it's steadily headed for disaster. As you can see from the pictures it's bad - I know there's no hope for the brown ones and they need to come out but what I'm wondering is why some have gone and others haven't? They're in the same soil, presumably not that different drainage and same light levels. I'm trying to work out how to gap the hedge and not have the same situation all over again. Also, are there other species you would recommend mixing in? As we need to fill it we're considering a varied hedge instead of uniform but although I have loads of experience with hedges it's all traditional native mixes for planting and laying - I have no idea when it comes to evergreen non-natives but my husband loves the year round colour, and keeps reminding me it's his garden too! 😊 I'd be tempted with Holly but given my first assumption is the ground may be too dry for cypress then I'm guessing Holly doesn't stand a chance.
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However, the first thing to do is to sort the ground out before planting anything else. Clear all the area properly and then add loads - and I mean loads - of organic matter to the site. Wait until autumn to plant so that it's easier for plants to establish, and then make sure they're well watered next summer too unless you have proper, regular rainfall. That will largely depend on where you're located, but the tree will also have an effect on how well it manages, so don't skimp on the prep and aftercare.
Keep the surrounding area weed free - mulching after the ground's wet is the best way, and you can use almost anything, but bark is ideal. All weeds are competition for a new hedge to establish and thrive, so doing that will help.
It would be easier to have something like Hawthorn though, Hornbeam or Beech, which will all manage drier conditions. Beech will retain the foliage over winter, although it turns golden brown. Hornbeam is the same, but if your hubby desperately wants evergreen he probably won't entertain those.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Another good evergreen hedging plant is the shrubby honeysuckle - Lonicera nitida or L. pileata. Various varieties.
Funnily enough, when I was out for my walk earlier, I was reminded of your post, because even here, there are lots of these conifers struggling very badly because of the weather we've had here in the last couple of years - extreme heat and longer dry spells, with mild winters. Normally, conifers of all kinds just grow like weeds.
Good luck with it though.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...