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Pyracantha hedge
Ali C
Posts: 2
Hi! We have recently planted a new hedge of young pyracantha plants. They seemed to be doing very well and growing strongly. But in the last week I have noticed lots of yellow leaves and I'm getting worried that something is wrong! It was quite an investment to plant them all so I really need to fix any problems! Any advice?
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Posts
Hi Ali. Pyracantha are evergreen and do best in well drained soil. A few leaves turning yellow might not be a problem if they are at the base. If the leaves are yellowing all over the plants then I reckon it could be either poor drainage or a pest/disease.
I hope everything will be ok. A pyracantha hedge would look beautiful and a real bonus for wildlife.
I had the same issue with a few Pyracanthas I put in last year. I picked off the affected bits and they are all fine now, even the worst one which had been an 'end of summer bargain' so it was a bit rough looking anyway. They're pretty trouble free on the whole though. As Stephen says they like a reasonable amount of drainage, although two of mine are actually in quite heavy ground. They'll also grow quite well in shade although they prefer sun.
You say you've got them recently Ali, so have you watered them in well enough initially? Sometimes it can be that simple, especially if they're quite large plants. That can be trickier than getting small plants established.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Patience AliC, let them establish, it's not unusual for any newly planted shrub to yellow a little after planting. As the others have said water them once a week, I'd top dress with a little bonemeal tickled in to the top soil. Another month and they will be well established. Next year they should shoot away.
Ali - it sounds like you did all the right things when you planted. I missed you saying they were young plants (
) so they should establish quite quickly. They're probably getting enough water and now that we're heading into autumn and winter they'll not need much attention at all. Just check the soil they're in by poking a finger in. If it's still damp just leave them. Overwatering can do more harm than good if the ground's water retentive anyway. As I said, my ground's heavy clay too, so I always add grit and lots of compost when planting anything if it likes a more free draining medium. I've just been out to look at some plants and the pyracanthas are all berrying up now. They are the ones in a shadier site so it just shows that they're pretty adaptable! 
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...