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1 Year Old Laurel Hedge Struggling

adamearley201132843adamearley201132843 Posts: 11
in Problem solving
Hi all, 

New here, so quick background, we bought a new build last year on a 0.6 acre site, work only completed last years so a long road ahead in terms of getting my garden right! 

We had a laurel hedge planted, 75 were planted, I think 5 or 6 have died, I pulled them out and they just came right out, no resistance at all, it’s like those never rooted.

The lawn is prone to water logging on a few spots, probably as the grass is still quite thin and patchy, but hopeful a good core aeration and overseeding will help that.

the laurels seem to be struggling a bit, we had a harsh winter in terms of rain and strong winds. They are pale in spots but are slowly coming green again after the winter. Some shed leaves at the bottom, just looking for any advice to help give them the best chance to really thrive this year. 

The ones that died have been replaced maybe 6 months ago and are in good condition. I rectified one or two water logged patches right infront with overseeing and aerating by hand which has help. 

Pics attached. 
«13

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Hi @adamearley201132843. Laurel will cope with any amount of rain and wind, but it needs a reasonably decent start in order to establish well. What prep was done to the border before planting? It still needs a proper base, and soil mix  :)

    The grass doesn't look great, which is odd if it's been wet. It looks like the opposite problem but many new builds have endless problems with lawns due to the way the builders/landscapers put them in. Bad, or poor prep again. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    My son's laurel looked like that the first year but now, 3 years later, it's fine.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • adamearley201132843adamearley201132843 Posts: 11
    Fairygirl said:
    Hi @adamearley201132843. Laurel will cope with any amount of rain and wind, but it needs a reasonably decent start in order to establish well. What prep was done to the border before planting? It still needs a proper base, and soil mix  :)

    The grass doesn't look great, which is odd if it's been wet. It looks like the opposite problem but many new builds have endless problems with lawns due to the way the builders/landscapers put them in. Bad, or poor prep again. 

    adamearley201132843 said:
    Hi all, 

    New here, so quick background, we bought a new build last year on a 0.6 acre site, work only completed last years so a long road ahead in terms of getting my garden right! 

    We had a laurel hedge planted, 75 were planted, I think 5 or 6 have died, I pulled them out and they just came right out, no resistance at all, it’s like those never rooted.

    The lawn is prone to water logging on a few spots, probably as the grass is still quite thin and patchy, but hopeful a good core aeration and overseeding will help that.

    the laurels seem to be struggling a bit, we had a harsh winter in terms of rain and strong winds. They are pale in spots but are slowly coming green again after the winter. Some shed leaves at the bottom, just looking for any advice to help give them the best chance to really thrive this year. 

    The ones that died have been replaced maybe 6 months ago and are in good condition. I rectified one or two water logged patches right infront with overseeing and aerating by hand which has help. 

    Pics attached. 
    Yep this is the problem, the grass was seeded in July, in a heat wave which didn’t help, it’s not great in spots, but looked worse a few weeks ago, I imagine the root system did not get to develop fully and it went into a dormant state, I will be core aerating and overseeding in two weeks so that should help. 

    In terms of prep, all that was done was holes dug with rocks and stones removed (if excessively large) and made sure the laurels were not placed above the wall foundation. Plenty of fertiliser added to the holes and then planted. 

    I have just given them a good go of seaweed/manure fertiliser and growmore with some compost on top
  • adamearley201132843adamearley201132843 Posts: 11
    Type your comment Busy-Lizzie said:
    My son's laurel looked like that the first year but now, 3 years later, it's fine.
    Here’s hoping!! 🤞 I just want to get more information so I can make sure I give them the best possible chance this year 
  • adamearley201132843adamearley201132843 Posts: 11
    Type your comment Busy-Lizzie said:
    My son's laurel looked like that the first year but now, 3 years later, it's fine.
    Here’s hoping!! 🤞 I just want to get more information so I can make sure I give them the best possible chance this year 
  • adamearley201132843adamearley201132843 Posts: 11
    Fairygirl said:
    Hi @adamearley201132843. Laurel will cope with any amount of rain and wind, but it needs a reasonably decent start in order to establish well. What prep was done to the border before planting? It still needs a proper base, and soil mix  :)

    The grass doesn't look great, which is odd if it's been wet. It looks like the opposite problem but many new builds have endless problems with lawns due to the way the builders/landscapers put them in. Bad, or poor prep again. 
    In terms of lawn prep, builder said it was good to seed, chap came out to seed it and said it was in no condition, he hand raked it himself entirely to take the stones out, then raked again after removing, seeded and rolled. Not sure how much seed was used though. 
  • adamearley201132843adamearley201132843 Posts: 11
    Fairygirl said:
    Hi @adamearley201132843. Laurel will cope with any amount of rain and wind, but it needs a reasonably decent start in order to establish well. What prep was done to the border before planting? It still needs a proper base, and soil mix  :)

    The grass doesn't look great, which is odd if it's been wet. It looks like the opposite problem but many new builds have endless problems with lawns due to the way the builders/landscapers put them in. Bad, or poor prep again. 
    In terms of lawn prep, builder said it was good to seed, chap came out to seed it and said it was in no condition, he hand raked it himself entirely to take the stones out, then raked again after removing, seeded and rolled. Not sure how much seed was used though. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Everything you’ll ever need to know about growing a great Laurel hedge https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/656523/help-needed-please-with-laurel-hedge-issues/p1 
    😊 

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





  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    That's the problem with a monoculture, one plant dies and it looks wrong...how I wished we'd consider a mixed native hedge before jumping on the leathery laurels as the default. Good luck with the care and hope they work out for you. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The hedge may come away, but it might not. If the prep was poor, they can still struggle despite being tough as old boots. It's all about what the soil is like, and what care it then has.
    It doesn't sound as if the prep was anything like ideal, and feeding them really isn't a good idea. Adding organic matter is the best way -comppost, leaf mould, rotted manure etc, and ensuring they have enough moisture. Against a wall like that can be very dry, depending on the aspect, and the climate, as well as the timing of planting. 

    If the lawn was prepped and seeded in very hot weather, and then had insufficient watering, it's probably still struggling, even the bits that are still alive. This is probably a good time to renovate, depending on where you are. That's what matters most with any plant - location and climate  :)
    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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