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Elaeagnus Ebbingei lost leaves

Hi there, I recently bought a new build house and the developers planted a new Eleagnus Ebbingei hedge. The plants were about 70cm when planted and they were planted at the end of Aug last year when it was very hot. The plants have lost all their lower leaves and look terrible. My question is, can I cut them back very hard, perhaps to 6" from the the soil level, will this kill them or will they come back. They look terrible now so I think I can't really make them look worse. I would like to keep them and train them into a new hedge but they are completely bare from the soil level upto about 18". 

Thanks so much, Jennie 

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,441

    Hi Jennie

    Cut them back, I cut a big one back after a falling tree destroyed it..It grew back better than ever. Give it a bit of food, anything will do and a good much while the soil is still wet



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Thanks nutcutlet, I think I will, what have I got to lose? They look terrible anyway! 

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,441

    That's the way I look at it Jennie. If it doesn't please you now it can't get any worseimage



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Haha, yes I agree so they have been brutally cut back today! Let's see what happens! Glad to say that my garden looks better already so pleased I did it. 

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,441

    Maybe you don't want them backimage



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Just a quick update. The shrubs have all come back apart from 3 which i am going to have to replace, they are looking very good! It was all worth it In the end. My neighbour has the same plants as I do and she didn't cut them back, they are now about a metre tall and only have leaves from about half way up, mine now have leaves from ground level and are looking very healthy. image

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,441

    That's good to know Jennie, thanks for reporting back. Your neighbour will wish she'd done the sameimage



    In the sticks near Peterborough
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